SALFORD CITY 1 CAMMELL LAIRD 0
Who needs `we'll never move the kick off times' FC United and their boring FA Cup run (because we're not jealous, honestly) when here in Salford, at Salford's biggest club, which actually plays at a stadium in Salford, you can watch the Rhodri Giggs revolution in full swing?
Steve Foster hit another wonder goal in the 74th minute to seal the victory that keeps Salford City in 8th position but means that the club is now just four points off the play off places.
The 1-0 scoreline didn't do much for City's goal difference but the floodgates would surely have opened up had a certain man with a whistle and the brain of a rocking horse not intervened.
Every week, it seems, we have to report `the worst referee-ing decision you'll ever see' but this really was `the worst referee-ing decision you'll ever see. Ever. Forever. And A Day'…
Salford City's Jordan Goodeve had already had a shot blocked on the line and Simon Woodford had already hit the Cammell's crossbar, when Rhodri Giggs – on for the injured Cayne Hanley – was put clean through…
…As Giggs bore down on goal the Cammell's 'keeper, Phil Palethorpe, came out to the edge of the area and his outstretched arm flattened Giggs as Salford's new player manager pushed the ball past him. The ref awarded a free kick just outside the area and everyone waited for the inevitable red card to be produced. It was yellow. Like the ref.
A shocking decision, which wasn't forgotten for the rest of the match, as both the clown in black and the Cammell's 'keeper were mocked at every opportunity. Yes, Christmas had come early at Moor Lane, with two panto villains to boooooooo. At half time, somehow the score remained 0-0.
In the second half Salford were virtually in complete control but, despite Adam Morning's wing trickery the opening goal just wouldn't come. And when it did, in the 74th minute, it was well worth waiting for. Morning slipped a ball to Steve Foster who had three Cammells in front of him just inside the penalty area. The Foz jinked the ball onto his right foot and curled a screamer into the top corner for his millionth and one goal of the season. 1-0 to Salford.
A few minutes later it could have been two, as Foster hit a shot from outside the area that Palethorpe – who shouldn't have even been on the pitch – tipped around the post. Deep into injury time it should have been two, as Adam Morning, a constant threat to the Cammells, was finally flattened in the area as he dribbled past a zillion defenders.
Steve Foster hit the resulting penalty hard – and high – and wide – and when the Salford Star got a call from an Eccles resident last night (see Comments) reporting a UFO gliding over his house we reassured him it was probably Fozzy's spot kick…
"My left foot sank in the wet as I was about to hit it" said Fozzy later "I asked them to sand the area before the game." But surely that would have given the advantage to the Cammells?
So 1-0 it was to Salford City as the Giggs revolution goes on. With two really hard away games coming up – Skem away on Tuesday, followed by Witton Albion away next Saturday – the Ammies' play off prospects will get a real test over the next week. But in the meantime Salford fans are really enjoying themselves. And we're not jealous of FC United. Not one bit. The only proper Salford team are going full steam for promotion.
Photos by Andrew Goudie
See also: Giggs To Star At Salford Film Festival - click here
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