Where do you start to tell the story of a game like this? Well, at the start, Salford City had no recognised goal keeper, the three stoppers on the Ammies' books being unavailable through injury and, we understand, `baby sitting'.
Instead, centre back, Martin Parker, wore the gloves but after only 15minutes he turned his ankle. Despite struggling on for a bit he had to be replaced in nets by Salford's Mr Versatility, centre half/forward Danny Heffernan…
Coming so soon in the game things looked gloomy for Salford even though they'd been well on top up to this point. And Heffernan was called into action almost straight away, stopping a goal bound effort from a Woodley attack. Incredibly that was the last shot of the whole game that Heffernan had to deal with as Salford City's defence, led brilliantly by captain Darren Hockenhull, kept Woodley at bay.
Salford's luck took another bad turn shortly after the keeper nightmare when star winger Scott Metcalfe had to be carried off following a tackle which resulted in a yellow card for a Woodley defender. Rhodri Giggs came on in his place and, showing the fantastic team spirit that has galvanised these players in the face of too many adversities this season, Salford City took the rest of the game by the scruff of the neck and pulverised Woodley into total submission.
First Adam Morning went on a trademark twisting run leaving a zillion defenders trailing in his wake, before slipping the ball to Cayne Hanley who crossed for Gavin Salmon to force a save from the Woodley keeper. Then Salmon hit a shot from the edge of the six yard area that somehow whistled past the post. And finally, third time lucky, Gavin Salmon sprung the Woodley offside trap to rattle in the first deserved Salford goal off the inside of the post. 1-0.
So much incident and action…and injury time, the first half packed more into it than most full games this season. And there was more to come after the break…
As Woodley collapsed, leaving Heffernan a spectator in goal, Salford City players lined up to increase the scoring. But it looked like it would never come - Salmon with a chance put on a plate by Giggs, hit his shot over the bar; then Giggs, clean through, allowed the keeper to smother his flick…
The second goal eventually came when Salmon teased a Woodley defender in the area who took the bait and tripped him over. Salmon coolly netted from the penalty. 2-0.
Shortly after, Salmon could have got his richly deserved hat trick but the Woodley keeper blocked his shot. And Giggs hooked a good chance over the bar, before Salmon put him through to hit a great shot from a tight angle into the top corner to make it 3-0.
`8-0…We should be winning 8-0' sang the Salford fans as the chances continued to flow, Giggs air kicking a cross and Steve Murty, clean through, tripping over when he only had the goalie to beat… `10-0…We should be winning 10-0'…
In the end Salford City had to be satisfied with 3-0 against a sorry Woodley side which, before this game, had hopes of the play-offs. Now it's Salford City that could be dreaming of promotion after the next two league games – against top four Durham City (away) and table topping Skelmersdale United at home.
Meanwhile, full marks for Salford City, with Cayne Hanley back to his marauding best, Gavin Salmon poaching the goals, Adam Morning terrifying defences and the midfield and back four looking more solid with every game…
`We don't need a keeper…We don't need a keeper'
Photos by Andrew Goudie and Gareth Lyons
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