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Salford City 0 Silsden 1

Frank McCauley
1/11/2007

SALFORD City suffered their first defeat in nine league matches after putting in a poor display at mid-table Silsden.

Missing regulars Mattie Burke and Jon Robinson through suspension, City failed to rise to their usual heights in a fairly mediocre game.

And the result led to City’s lead at the top of the Vodkat-sponsored North West Counties League first division table being cut to four points by Trafford.

Salford’s annoying tendency of continually finding themselves in off-side positions in the opening 30 minutes saw visiting keeper Martin Foulger have a relatively untroubled spell.

Indeed it was Silsden, in their first penetrating attack of the afternoon, who almost went in front on the half-hour mark. Fortunately, City centre back Kenny Tudor was on hand to clear Dan Moriarty’s effort off the goal line.

Almost immediately at the other end, Salford should have taken the lead. A neat turn in the penalty box from Dean Thurston presented Carl Lomax with an opportunity but his shot was knocked away by Foulger and Rick Watson headed over the crossbar from the resulting corner kick.

With little else of note happening in the first half, the home supporters were looking forward to an improved performance after the break

But it was simply not to be City’s day.

A Tommy Turner header went over the bar before the referee turned down what appeared to be genuine appeals for a penalty when Turner was tripped on his way through to goal. The referee instead awarding a free kick from just outside the box.

Disaster struck with just seven minutes left on the clock. A poorly delivered Salford free kick 25 yards from the Silsden goal resulted in a quick counter attack and Thomas Dibb gladly smacked a close range shot past home keeper Andrew Robertson.

Fortunately, all of City’s main rivals also dropped points at the weekend but the Moor Lane side will need to up their game for their trip to mid-table Colne on Saturday, November 3, kick-off 3pm.

Meanwhile, City’s reserve side recorded a 4-0 midweek win against Formby with Dean Repullo, Richard Dunn, Dean Tymon and Andy Kennedy netting.