The second Salford goal flies in from the magic boot of full back, Darren Hockenhull, and goalie Andy Robertson dances the full length of the pitch to join the group orgy on the far corner flag. That's how much it means for a team that wasn't given a Rooney's chance in Hell to avoid the drop just a few weeks ago. Now, we're scorching Rossendale's arse, with just 4 points separating us. And Salford have a game in hand.
We ran out, as usual these days, to the theme of The Great Escape…but in the first half the metaphorical tunnel nearly collapsed, as Rossendale first opened the scoring and then got a penalty which Robertson brilliantly saved. Despite having the best of the play, with Latham Forrester constantly ghosting through the Rossendale defence and Stuart Rudd totally imposing himself, we just couldn't get back on equal terms – although the linesman, universally acclaimed as a `dickhead', didn't help matters either.
Half time: 1-0 to Rossendale.
Cue: `Small town near Bacup…You're just a small town near Bacup'
The second half saw the `game of death' come alive, as early in the second half, a Stuart Rudd header from close range brought the scores level. With Jamie Tandy stirring some of his old Man City magic on the left wing, we began to look the better team, and late on that stunning shot from outside the area by Darren Hockenhull, put us in front. As Robertson snogged the team down at the corner flag the tension suddenly lifted from Moor Lane. And thereafter it was like watching Brazil, as we cheered every flick and trick.
"Eeeh 'eck" said a Radcliffe Borough supporter "Bet you wish the season was just starting"
"Er…Er…Aren't you at the wrong game?" we said, until we realised that there were loads of the buggers there, checking us out and poo-ing their pants as they're only two places above us, having played two more games.
Whatever, with four minutes of injury time added by a time warped referee, and the Rossendale manager doing a funny hill dance outside his tech area, things might have got sticky. But we didn't just hang on, we pushed forward, determined to improve our goal difference of minus 53...and in the last minute of added time Steve Moore slotted in to make it minus 52.
The full time whistle went, The Great Escape blasted through the speakers. And, yes, the impossible dream lives on…
Next Home Game: Warrington Town 13th April (Easter Monday) 3pm
www.salfordcityfc.com
Homework: Learn this to the sound of Spandau Ballet's Gold
Stuart Rudd ........ Rudd
Always believe you'll score
You've got the power we know
You're undefendable
Always believe you'll score
Coz you are Rudd
You've got the power we know
Stuart Rudd ........ Rudd
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