If you're looking for goal of the season, look no further than Adam Morning's equaliser for Salford City in the 83rd minute of yesterday's grudge match against Clitheroe in the Evo-Stik First Division North.
Morning, on as a second half sub, picked up the ball well outside the Clitheroe area and slalomed around four defenders before crashing an unstoppable shot high into the far corner of the net.
Adam Morning has almost made a trademark out of match turning spectacular goals but this was his best yet. And it was the least that Salford City deserved, after Clitheroe had gone ahead in first half injury time, courtesy of the softest penalty seen this season.
A Clitheroe attacker had lost control of the ball in the Salford area, and as a defender shepherded it out of play the Clitheroe player slipped over. The referee gave a goal kick. His `assistant' flagged for a penalty. At half time, the Clitheroe player himself was overheard to tell a spectator that he wasn't fouled. Shocking decision.
Salford's problems got worse as keeper Chris Howarth never appeared for the second half. He'd been clattered on at least three occasions during the first half and the Clitheroe tactics obviously worked, with the injured goalie replaced in nets by centre back Martin Parker.
Adversity, as usual, was staring the Ammies in the face but the situation, as usual, galvanised the team for a spirited second half performance. The Salford defence threw themselves at every Clitheroe shot and smothered virtually every Clitheroe attack, not allowing them to test Parker once. Not that the defender looked out of place, punching and catching crosses when needed. And Salford nearly equalised when a Cayne Hanley header forced the Clitheroe keeper into a smart save.
Despite Salford City's resilience and forays into the Clitheroe half, it looked like time might be running out until Adam Morning's wonder goal salvaged a richly deserved point.
"You'll never beat the Salford" sang the Tangerine Army to Clitheroe fans, still bitter from defeat at the hands of the Ammies in the FA Trophy recently…
…And next Saturday, Salford City go to North Ferriby (if we can find it on the map) from the Evo-Stik Premier League in the next round of the FA Trophy on the long march to Wembley…
Salford City has a coach going to Ferriby - details at www.salfordcityfc.co.uk
Photos by Andrew Goudie
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