Were there any players on the pitch who didn't get a yellow card today? Probably not. We lost count after the first hundred names went in the referee's book, nearly all of them from Salford. At one point when the over fussy official went over to consult his `assistant' everyone thought he was going to book him too…and someone at the back of the stands shouting at him `You're shit and you know you are…'
Still, the yellow confetti lit up a drab afternoon where the rain poured down onto the Moor Lane pitch and few players were taking chances with the slippery ball. The game descended into a lot of long ball slogs which suited the Clitheroe style more, as the team from the Lancashire hills took control of the first half. Goalkeeper, Andy Robertson, had to come to Salford's rescue on more than one occasion as the big Clitheroe forwards found openings, and on the stroke of half time they might have won a penalty. It wasn't given and Salford survived to keep it goalless at the interval.
But the second half was only eight minutes old when Clitheroe took the lead, a volley from inside the box. Salford's woes continued with Rhodri Giggs forced off injured after being scythed down near the edge of the box. However, shortly after his exit Salford drew level when the ball slithered out of the Clitheroe keeper's hands (for the second week running) and Neil Chappell tucked it home for his third goal in two games.
With both teams going for the win, the game suddenly opened up faster than the referee's notebook (well, maybe not) and forwards from both teams had chances. In the end, none could quite apply the finishing touches and the draw was about the right result.
Final score: Salford City: a million yellow cards
Clitheroe: about four yellow cards
* You can read much better match reports than this and keep up to date with all the Salford City news by clicking on Banter at the Salford City Fc forum
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