By Jonny Escott
After a superb season which saw Trafford blossom at the start, struggle in the centre, then finish with finesse, it was a story which no one would dare predict.
Going into the last game of the season, a home fixture against Clitheroe, the whites needed a win to guarantee a place in the play offs. The anticipation was immense, just over 20 years after the club were founded, the team from Trafford, who play behind the Bird ith Hand, were on the verge of fighting for a place in the 8th tier of English football.
The game started hesitantly as both teams seemed cautious too attack and to leave themselves open at the back. But just before half time, Trafford made the breakthrough. And from there on in, it was nerves until the whites all but secured their play off place with a 2nd goal in the 2nd half. As the game finished, everyone was waiting to find out who we'd play in the semi. "Cammell Laird away on Monday" shouted a certain Brown brother. Then the final results came through and we found out that on what was to be a sunny bank holiday Monday in May, Trafford were to travel to the small Derbyshire town of New Mills.
The Sunday before the play off semi couldn't have gone any slower. Just waiting for the day to arrive. Many fans were optimistic and were just happy to see us in the play offs but many were eager to win and eager to help Trafford book their place in the play off final. Finally, Monday arrived. And what a day it was to be.
Sun shining as bright as ever, a brief walk in my back garden all but confirmed to me that it was a shorts day, something rather unfamiliar in this part of the world. An early meet at the Bird Ith Hand was the plan then the minibus to New Mills at 11, half an hour before the players coach as Cappy's tours had researched the local area and found that there were some decent boozers.
As we arrived in the town in a Valley, it was oddly warmer that it was back in Urmston, but we weren't complaining. So as we made our way through the pubs of New Mills, we soon got news of the players coach getting stuck in traffic. "15:15 Kick Off now" Cappy shouted, which was greeted with muted applause as everyone slowly made their way to the bar for another round.
So after being delayed by 15 minutes, kick off was finally upon us, it was time for the football to do the talking.
A 90 minutes which saw a lot of football played in the middle of the pitch with both teams going close on occasions, the battle had just begun. Extra-time it was, 30 minutes for both teams to justify their challenge for the Evo-stik North Premier Division play off final.
Extra-time seemed to find another gear for not just the players in White, but the travelling faithful who came to cheer Gary Vaughan's super white army. "Take me home, Chassen Road" ringing around the Church Lane ground and most probably through and beyond the Pennines. Then finally, we grabbed the goal. Nerves? Nerves had nothing on the unbearable feeling that everyone from the Trafford family felt for them remaining minutes. With seconds on the clock remaining and the referee reaching for his whistle, the goal machine that is Michael Oates sent the Trafford barmy army crazy as he scored Trafford's 2nd of the game which booked our place in the final, which we soon found out was to be played on the Wirral against our Birkenhead rivals Cammell Laird.
Fortunately everyone had four days to digest Monday's antics, all in preparation for the big finale on Friday night. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, didn't matter, it was all about Friday.
In no time it came around, Twitter was buzzing with the 'Trafford family' hashtag flying about here there and everywhere. There was already a sense of major achievement just getting to the final but now we were there, we didn't want to lose, especially to a team managed by our old friend Tony Sullivan.
With MK Dons manager Karl Robinson in attendance, it was a perfect opportunity for our players to show what they're made of and to put in a big performance, and that is exactly what every single player did.
The fans gathered behind the dugouts, Sullivan quickly acknowledging the superb support which followed the whites that day. Frequent banter with the opposing manager started proceedings off peacefully off the pitch but the players soon got down to business on the pitch. The game was very even. Extremely similar to the New Mills game. Some superb saves from Tommy Reid keeping us in it and some missed opportunities at the other end kept the game goalless heading into extra time.
Both teams looked tired, but both managers seemed to have predicted extra time with hardly any substitutions made within the 90 minutes. That showed the sheer respect that both managers had towards their rival club. Extra time proved to be no different. Chances here and there but nothing to separate the north west rivals. As the final whistle blew, it was time for what some teams dread and what some teams love, PENALTIES. Some call it a lottery, some say it just comes down to who's luck is in on the day.
The ever consistent Martyn Andrews was the first to step up. Composed is an understatement as Martyn sends the Laird keeper the wrong way. Laird then levelled the shoot out firing past Tommy Reid. Smarty then put Trafford ahead once again but after this was when the match changed in Trafford's favour. Reid went the right way to keep the shoot out at 2-1 but Ali Brown then had his penalty well saved. Super stopprr Reid then created history again for the club by saving Laird's third penalty. Tom Schofield then converted his spot kick and Cammell Laird slotted away their 4th penalty leaving it up to Paul 'Flash' Ashton to win the game and gain promotion for Trafford.
The ground went silent with the odd put off technique from the Laird support. The pressure that Flash had on him for that 60 seconds was remarkable. But with pure composure, Trafford's number 11 smashed the ball into the back of the net which cued a pitch invasion by the travelling support. It was truly a touching moment. Players hugging fans, fans hugging coaches, coaches hugging each other and even the committee going a little bit mad, this was the best and most significant moment in the clubs short history.
It's a day I, like many others, will never forget. The sense of passion and pride felt when Flash won us the game was something I will be lucky to experience ever again. Even now, it's not sunk in.
So here's too next season, no expectations, no pressure, we're just that club from behind the Bird Ith Hand who are getting bigger and bigger.
Excellent article Jonny! *goosebumps*
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