Chorley 1 Trafford 1

6:09pm Monday 18th August 2008

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TRAFFORD midfield dynamo Max Kisseh suffered a heartbreaking leg fracture in his first competitive game since a similar injury at Bacup back in November.

This devastating news marred what had otherwise been a confident and dominant display by a Trafford team returning to the Unibond League after walking away with the Vodkat League Division One title last season.

What made matters worse was the fact that the incident occurred in the first minute when Kisseh was involved in an innocuous 50/50 challenge and was carried off, to be replaced by Gareth Thomas.

Chorley’s Jordan Goodeve then had the first shot on goal, his 20-yard piledriver flying just wide of the upright.

In the 11th minute Trafford stormed ahead when Chris Mackay released Scott Barlow with a defence-splitting pass and the livewire striker rounded keeper Zac Jones to slot home from an acute angle.

Mackay then drove over from 15 yards and Thomas cracked a low drive that was held by Jones as Ged Kielty’s young side continued to impress.

However, in the 25th minute Chorley were handed a lifeline when Billy McCartney was rather harshly adjudged to have handled and Michael Eckersley strode forward to drive the penalty past Tom Read.

Shortly afterwards Scott Metcalfe sped past several defenders and found Barlow who shot across the face of the goal while at the other end Stephen Burke outpaced Trafford veteran Lee Southwood and fired just wide.

Trafford were once again the dominant force in the opening stages of the second period and in the 47th minute dangerman Barlow saw his fierce drive parried by keeper Jones.

Barlow then set up strike partner Andy Lundy who had the misfortune to strike the foot of the post from 15 yards.

In the 58th minute Billy McCartney headed a Metcalfe corner inches over and shortly afterwards Chorley’s Goodeve shot straight at Tom Read.

The remainder of the game was a generally scrappy affair with both sides conceding possession too easily although it was Trafford who still created the better chances.

Substitute Leon Grandison made a great run down the right flank but just overhit his cross and then, in the 85th minute, Gareth Thomas wasted a free kick from the edge of the penalty area, driving the ball straight at Jones.

Overall, Trafford were content with a thoroughly deserved away point but were obviously shattered by the news that they now face a lengthy period without the services of the desperately unfortunate Max Kisseh.

On Saturday Trafford entertain Harrogate Railway at Shawe View in a Unibond League Division One North fixture kicking off at 3pm.