Marine brought two coaches, a drummer and loads of flags to Moor Lane expecting an easy day out in the Salford sun. But it was Salford City who played the calypso football and it was chants of `Can we play you every week?' that were left ringing in Marine's ears as the drums fell silent in the second half.
From the kick off Salford tickled Marine's giants, with deft flighted passes over the top of their defence producing openings for forwards Rhodri Giggs and new signing Paul Gedham. While City had three good chances – a header from Martyn Andrews and a shot from Rhodri Giggs that forced saves from the Marine keeper, and a stunning run across the area by Giggs that ended in a corner – Marine never managed a shot on goal, or any signs of skill for that matter.
Giggs even had the ball in the net after thirty minutes but it was ruled out for offside. By this time Salford's fans were cheering every pass, yet the half ended goalless. That scoreline didn't last long, as 15 minutes into the second period City got the goal they deserved, after a free kick was headed into the net by Paul Gedman. And Salford went 2-0 up with twenty minutes remaining, Paul Gedman getting his second from a Giggs cross.
As if affronted by the scoreline, Marine suddenly began to play but still couldn't threaten a Salford defence in which Patrice Mondon-Konan, Russ Courtney and Carl Ruffer were immense. When they did get through, goalie Andy Robertson made some great blocks.
Marine did manage to score from close range but it was too near the end of the game to make a difference – or it should have been but the referee had other ideas, as injury time went on and on and on...Either he had no home to go to, or Marine's manager was Alex Ferguson in disguise. Whatever. He set up a nervy final few hours but Marine still couldn't score.
Salford came off the field to a standing ovation – and the team, without a point in the league yet, go marching on in the FA Cup…
Salford's next home game is a top versus bottom clash with FC Halifax Town on Tuesday night (15th Sept), kick off 7:45pm.
Further details www.salfordcityfc.com
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