Lions Continue Positive Pre-Season Progress Despite 5–4 Aggregate Defeat

Trafford FC 3–1 Flixton FC (Trafford win 5–4 on aggregate)

Foxall Matthews Community Cup – Second Leg | Shawe View

Flixton FC's pre-season preparations continued on Saturday afternoon as the Lions travelled to Shawe View for the second leg of the Foxall Matthews Community Cup.

Holding a 3–2 advantage from the first leg at Valley Road, the Lions went into the return fixture looking to retain the trophy. Trafford, however, produced a strong performance on home soil, claiming a 3–1 victory to overturn the deficit and secure the Foxall Matthews Community Cup 5–4 on aggregate.

Trafford made the brighter start and capitalised on their early chances, building a three-goal advantage before the Lions responded late in the contest.

Despite the result, Flixton continued to create opportunities throughout the afternoon. The Lions registered 10 shots from 11 attempts, with 73% of those efforts coming from inside the penalty area, demonstrating their ability to work the ball into dangerous positions. They also completed 153 passes, narrowly more than Trafford's 149, while possession remained closely contested at 46% to 54%.

The visitors were rewarded with a second-half penalty to reduce the deficit to 3–1 on the day, but Trafford saw out the closing stages to seal a 5–4 aggregate victory and lift this year's trophy.

There were plenty of positives for Alex Mortimer's side. Flixton recorded 13 passing sequences of three or more passes, including a longest sequence of eight consecutive passes, highlighting the progress being made as the squad continues to develop ahead of the North West Counties Football League Division One North campaign.

While the trophy returns with Trafford this year, the Foxall Matthews Community Cup once again fulfilled its wider purpose—celebrating the legacies of Graham Foxall and Sir Stanley Matthews, while strengthening the bond between two proud community football clubs.

Starting XI

Mason, Mendy, Solarin, Odis Oni, Ngoy, Donohue, Creech, Khan, Byrne, Lalkovic, Eze.

Substitutes

Jacobs, Czarnopis, Wood, Kagame, Brown, Lusakeuno, Holden, Ward, Vinterpool.

As the final whistle sounded at Shawe View, Trafford lifted the Foxall Matthews Community Cup with a 5–4 aggregate victory across two entertaining and competitive matches. Across both fixtures, supporters were treated to nine goals, attacking football and two occasions that perfectly reflected the spirit of this special competition.

A huge thank you to every Flixton supporter who made the journey to Shawe View and backed the Lions throughout the afternoon. Your support, both home and away, continues to drive the team forward and is helping build something special at Valley Road.

Up Next: Another Big Saturday for the Lions

There is no time to slow down as Alex Mortimer's squad head into another busy weekend of pre-season action.

The first team travel to Padiham FC on Saturday afternoon as preparations continue for the start of the North West Counties Football League Division One North season.

🗓 Saturday 18 July
🆚 Padiham FC (Away)
🕑 Kick-off: 2:00pm

Then, just an hour later, football returns to Valley Road as Flixton FC welcome Burnley U21s for another exciting home pre-season fixture.

The young Clarets will provide another excellent test for the Lions and another opportunity for supporters to see the squad continue its development ahead of the new campaign.

🗓 Saturday 18 July
🆚 Flixton FC vs Burnley U21s
📍 Valley Road (M41 8RQ)
🕒 Kick-off: 3:00pm

Whether you're travelling to Padiham to support the Lions away from home or joining us at Valley Road for the visit of Burnley U21s, we'd love to see you there for another exciting day of pre-season football.

Up the Lions. 🦁💙