Trafford FC 2 - Lancaster City FC 3:

TWO GOAL JACKSON

UniBond Division One North

TWO GOALS from Mark Jackson netted Lancaster City three points from a tough encounter with Trafford FC.

Trafford FC (0) 2
Grandison 51, Barlow 66

Lancaster City (2) 3
Jackson 10, 77, Ward 23

Despite taking a two goal lead the Dolly Blues made hard work of their third win of the season. However an inspired performance from Jackson coupled with a thoroughly workmanlike effort from his team-mates was enough to see off a decent Trafford side.

While boss Barrie Stimpson – who gave the returning Paul Haddow a start in midfield – would have preferred his charges to have built on their two-goal lead, he was pleased with the result.

He said: "At five to three I would have taken this result. I am delighted with the three points."

City striker Jackson had a hand in all three goals and proved that he is not just an energetic forward but also a ruthless finisher.

With nine minutes on the clock, he received the ball on the edge of the box after good interplay between the excellent Ryan Elderton and Lee Dodgson to coolly place the ball into the top corner.

The first half was at times scrappy and possession was evenly shared. However, City were the more effective and furthered their lead through Dominic Ward.

Jackson picked up the ball and did well to round a couple of defenders before playing in Ward who then had the simple task of slotting the ball into an empty net.

Although they were two goals up, City were far from cruising.

Indecision at the back was letting Trafford into the game and there were signs that the second half was not going to be plain sailing.

Already this season Lancaster have shown a tendency to ease off the gas in the second 45 and today was no exception.

A Bradley Barnes shot from long range forced City goalkeeper Mark Thornley to parry to then see the ball fall to the onrushing Leon Grandison to score.

City looked disjointed and seemed determined to make life more difficult for themselves.

Trafford were more than happy to take advantage and equalised through Scott Barlow. He rose highest to head home from a free-kick to deservedly equalise and set the game up for a tense finish.

The home side continued to dominate the second half and Thornley was given more work than he would have liked.

The winning goal was pure smash and grab counter-attacking football but it was also a classy finish from Jackson after some good work from Paul Fildes.

Jackson picked up the ball in the box after the busy Fildes showed neat footwork to beat two defenders and fired the ball into the net to cap a superb individual display.

The game finished on a sour note after Trafford sub Gareth Thomas was sent off for allegedly throwing a punch at City's Ward.

LANCASTER CITY:      Thornley 6, Uberschar 7, Elderton 8, Haddow 6 (Rigby 78), Marshall 7, Stringfelllow 7, Entwisle 6 (Helliwell 56), Ward 7, Jackson 9, Fildes 7, Dodgson 7.

Subs not used: Woodward, Greenwood, Price.

TRAFFORD:    Rooney, Woodford, Halligan Riley, McCartney, Barnes, Grandison, Winter (Thomas 60), Barker (Mackay 64), Barlow, Metcalfe.

Subs not used: Jones, Coppin, Southwood.


STARMAN: Mark Jackson – Two goals, one assist and covered every inch of the pitch.

Attendance 123.
Referee: Peter Brabin.

 

Aaron Jackson
Saturday 13 September 2008

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