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City pick up first point

Frank McCauley
21/ 8/2008

SALFORD City scored their first ever goal and secured their first ever point in the UniBond League with a 1-1 draw against a highly fancied Curzon team at Moor Lane on Tuesday night.

City stepped up their performance following their opening 1-0 defeat at Warrington Town on Saturday.

Jon Robinson, back after suspension, tested the visitors’ keeper David Carnell with a rasping drive after five minutes.

Home keeper Martin Campbell set the mood for Salford 10 minutes later when he brilliantly saved a Steve Moore penalty and shortly afterwards the Moor Lane side went in front. Wes Bancroft had a strong shot parried by the keeper but he was alert to head the ball back across goal and Steve Brackenridge slammed the ball home from close range to open the scoring.

Brackenridge had a header fumbled away by Carnell mid-way through the second half before the dangerous Moore drove home the equaliser for Curzon despite an initial, superb save from Campbell.

Despite the visitors pushing forward in numbers looking for the winner Salford’s defence held firm and Robinson had a late chance to steal the three points but Carnell blocked his shot with an outstretched leg.

City earlier lost their first ever UniBond League game by the narrowest of margins at Warrington.

However, team manager Gary Fellows took encouragement from a number of good individual performances against more experienced opposition.

City failed to convert a free kick outside the box and from the clearance Scott Williams broke down the left flank and Hadland rifled his cross home from close range at the back post.

The visitors continued to take the play to Warrington but they lacked penetration in the final third and home keeper Richard Mottram was rarely troubled.

Skelmersdale visit Moor Lane on Saturday, and on Bank Holiday Monday Salford travel to Clitheroe.