Trafford, inspired by their central defender and captain Nia Bayunu, defeated New Mills at a sun drenched Church Lane to book their place in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North Play-Off final against Cammell Laird on Friday evening.
The Millers were once again shorn of key personnel and while they gave a good account of themselves, and forced the game into extra-time, cracks eventually began to show in the patched up team and they were made to pay for missed opportunities during the game.
Kick-off was delayed for 15 minutes, due to heavy traffic caused by bank holiday revellers visiting the Peak District, meaning that the Trafford team coach was late in arriving. It did not prevent them starting the game in lively fashion though, and roared on by an impressive visiting support they had the better of the early exchanges.
On the half hour mark The Millers finally gained a foothold in the game and began to create the best chances of the first half. First, from a wonderful cross from the left by David Fitzpatrick, Nicky Platt sent a header goalwards from six yards out that was clawed away in spectacular fashion by Read in the visitors goal. Just minutes, later the tireless Chris Luby chased down a long ball and fed Michael Bowler who saw his effort cannon back from the post and to safety. Five minutes before the interval Carlos Meakin sent a firm header just over the bar, then a minute later Nicky Platt squandered a golden opportunity. He received the ball five yards out, jinked inside a defender and with the goal
at his mercy sent a tame effort into the legs of Read.
The visitors reminded the home support that they too were in the contest, the ever dangerous Michael Oates sending a vicious 30 yard effort crashing into David Stevenson's left hand post.
Both sides looked nervous throughout the second half, and few chances were created. Neither team taking any risks whatsoever and both looking to play on the counter attack, the only chance of note coming with 10 minutes to go when Read once again produced a wonderful save to keep out Platt's close range effort.
Within minutes of the start of extra-time Trafford took the lead. A low cross by Oates was clipped past Stevenson by former Miller Will Ahern.
The Millers lengthened their game in an effort to find a way back into the match but they found man of the match Nia Bayunu in commanding form as he headed away cross after cross.
The home side should have equalised in the first minute of the second period of extra-time, from a Fitzpatrick corner Daniel Douglas-Pringle somehow managed to head over the bar when unmarked a yard from goal.
With time running out The Millers created one final chance, Raducio King curling a left footed effort just wide.
From the resulting goal kick Trafford broke away and with the final kick of the Match Michael Oates made it 2-0 to the visitors and to end The Millers promotion hopes for the season.
In spite of the disappointing end to the campaign there is still much for The Millers support to be proud of from the 2012/13 season. Their side have played wonderful football at times, and have arguably the strongest squad in the league, unfortunately the fates conspired against them in the end as fatigue, a
crippling injury list and missed opportunities at crucial times cost them. Nevertheless, with the managerial team of Roy Soule and Paul Armstrong at the helm, season 2013/14 promises to be another exciting one for the Church Lane faithful.
Team - David Stevenson, Daryl Weston, David Fitzpatrick, Daniel Grimshaw (Jamie Kay), Carlos Meakin, Sam Egerton, Michael Bowler (Raducio King), Chris Young, Chris Luby, Nicky Platt, Michael Fish (Daniel Douglas-Pringle). Unused subs - James Hampson, Andy Graham