The Salford City flags hadn't even been hung behind the goal when a thunderous shot from Stuart Cook crashed against the bar. It set the scene for some stunning football by the Ammies as they totally dominated the opening half against a sorry Radcliffe Borough team containing a million ex- Moor Lane favourites, including former co-manager Chris Thompson.
Ed Ruiz, making his long awaited, suspension-delayed debut for Salford, constantly bamboozled the Radcliffe defence on the left, and had an early shot that fizzed just over the bar. Meanwhile, there was some great interplay between midfielders Stuart Cook and Lee Hodgkinson, and forwards Danny Browne and Wes Bancroft, resulting in Salford looking more menacing with every attack.
The breakthrough came after 21 minutes when Wes Bancroft craftily jinked his way past a couple of defenders in the box and poked the ball past the hapless Radcliffe keeper into the left hand corner of the net. A top solo effort. 1-0.
Salford continued to press, and on the half hour Danny Browne, latched onto a ball outside the box and, as quick as a flash, lobbed the Radcliffe keeper who had come to collect thin air, as it turned out. A stunning goal. 2-0.
As Wes Bancroft stung the keeper's hands with a rasping shot, half time couldn't come quick enough for a Radcliffe team that looked doomed in the big local derby.
The second half saw Borough start with three substitutes and the manager's hairdryer still curling their psyches. It seemed to work as they pushed Salford back with some direct attacking of their own, and even had the ball in the back of the net but it was correctly ruled out for a flattening of the Ammies' keeper Kieran O'Boyle.
At the other end, Ed Ruiz had a stinging shot that curled just wide of the post but Radclifffe got stronger as the half progressed, forcing Kieran O'Boyle to make two good saves at the foot of his posts.
In the end Salford City battled it out, with centre backs Aaron Walters and Otis Gorman outstanding, to grab all three points and continue an undefeated run which has seen only one goal conceded in four games. Co-managers Barry Massay and Phil Power are certainly weaving some magic at Moor Lane.
The Ammies are now up to sixth place in the league and go into Saturday's FA Cup tie away at Cammell Laird full of confidence.
Photos by Andrew Goudie
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