Star date: 24th February 2013

AMMIES BACK ON TRACK WITH SECOND HALF WONDER SHOW

Salford City 2 Farsley 0

Salford City stuffed high flying Farsley with two killer goals in the second half to begin the club's traditional `spring bounce' with March fast approaching.

Goals by Nathan Taylor and sub Chris Monaghan, coupled with some brilliant goalkeeping by Ritchie Branagan, sealed the victory.

Match report and photos here…

Salford City fans have a tradition of singing `We only start playing in March', as the club usually go on massive unbeaten runs towards the end of the season that are too late to push for play off places.

Yesterday, despite the sleet and chill wind, spring came early to Moor Lane, as a solid second half performance ended weeks of league draws and unlucky defeats.

The first half was definitely one to discard with the winter blues, notable only for Farsley's woeful finishing, a Nathan McDonald flick that hit the post and some top handbags between the managers as time and again Salford's Rob Kinsella was elbowed, wrestled and kicked by Farsley defenders.

It looked like the gormless referee was losing control, with some beautiful language exchanged between the Brian Glover-in-Kes-alike Farsley manager (perfect, even down to his brown shoes) and Salford's Andy Heald. On the pitch, meanwhile, there was no danger of any football breaking out. Half time 0-0.

That all changed about ten minutes after the interval, when Nathan Taylor gathered a Rob Kinsella pass inside the box and slotted the opening goal. 1-0.

Fifteen minutes later it looked to be game over when Nathan Taylor sprang the Farsley offside trap, carried the ball into the box and crossed for Chris Monaghan to chip home. 2-0.

Salford protected the lead to the end, with new centre half Harry Bockarie forming a solid partnership with the consistent Adrian Bellamy, and man-of-the-match keeper Ritchie Branagan, yet again proving he's the Division's top stopper, with Evo-Stik style handling and two brilliant saves at the death to kill any hopes of a Farsley comeback.

This was Salford City's first league win under the new caretaker management team of Andy Heald and Chris Thompson. Now many fans want the pair to get the job permanently.

Meanwhile, the Ammies have a further chance to move up the league, with another home match, against Harrogate Railway this Tuesday night 7:45pm kick off.

Tickets for the Manchester Premier Cup Final, against Mossley at Edgeley Park will be going on sale shortly, priced £7. Watch this space!

Photos by Gareth Lyons and Andrew Goudie