I knew I had to do well, says Trafford | OneFootball

James Trafford expressed his love for making saves after producing two crucial stops to help us into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Salford City.

Match Report

City seal place in FA Cup fifth round with Salford victory

An early Alfie Dorrington own goal gave City the lead after just six minutes, before Marc Guéhi grabbed his first goal for the Club with just under 10 minutes remaining in the tie at the Etihad Stadium.

Sandwiched between the goals were some good chances for the League Two visitors, forcing Trafford into a sprawling save from a Ben Woodburn half-volley shortly before the half-time interval.

GALLERY: GUÉHI GOAL SINKS SALFORD!

Trafford was required again after the break, standing tall to block at the near post from Kelly N’Mai’s powerful strike from a tight angle.

“I knew I wasn’t going to have too much to do but, when I was called upon, I had to do well,” said Trafford in an interview after the game.

“It was nice, it wasn’t what I expected coming into the season. I tried to guard against it. It’s the reality and I have to give it my best shot. It’s the situation I’m in. We train every day but making saves, it’s good fun.

“It’s one of them, it’s a knockout competition. We won and we have a week until the next game. We have to keep going.”

The Academy graduate also reserved some special praise for Salford, who defended rigidly and also posed a threat going forward.

“We had to work really hard. They did really well. They defended really well and they had belief that grew through the game.

“We got there in the end and got the good win.”