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Salford City 2 Atherton LR 1

Frank McCauley
17/ 1/2008

TWO excellent first half goals were the highlights of Salford’s Vodkat first division fixture at the weekend.

But City’s indifferent home form continued against lowly Atherton LR.

The result may have brought the three points needed to remain at the top of the North West Counties League table but the performance was not what the spectators were hoping for.

LR keeper Chris Brinksman tipped a scorching drive from Bernard Morley over the bar after 25 minutes and, from the resulting corner, Stephen Brackenridge broke into the penalty box and unleashed a low drive into the far corner.

Two minutes later and Salford looked to have broken the managerless visitors’ resolve when a strong run from Shaun Whitehead set up Lathan Forrester, who fired a superb volley from 18 yards past a helpless Brinksman.

Whitehead almost found the target himself before the interval but his shot narrowly missed the target while, at the other end, only a last-gasp Rick Watson tackle denied LR’s Stewart Norman.

City failed to get out of the starting blocks at the start of the second half.

They had a lucky let off when Norman hit the upright and Ian Berry struck the rebound directly at the grounded Andrew Robertson.

An unchallenged Norman then headed a cross over the crossbar before Lee Hughes showed him how it’s done, side-footing home to reduce Atherton’s arrears on the hour mark.

The hard working Watson was then shown a red card for a reckless challenge near to the touchline.

But, despite having to make do with only 10 players for the final 20 minutes, Salford had plenty of possession.

However, they failed to turn their superiority into goals with their numerous shots lacking either direction or venom.

City visit Coventry Sphinx in an eagerly awaited FA Carlsberg Vase fourth round tie on Saturday, January 19, kick-off 3pm.

Looking at the club’s respective league positions, it is a game that City are capable of winning providing that they are firing on all cylinders.

City’s supporters’ coach, which is now full, will depart Moor Lane at 11am.