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City boss gets axed

2/10/2008

SALFORD City parted company with manager Gary Fellows following Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup second qualifying round defeat at Prescot Cables.

Wayne Goodison, who had been assisting Fellows, will take over the reins for the next few matches until a permanent appointment is made.

Club officials were keen to stress that they wish Fellows well for the future.

Fellows and his assistant manager Dave Rowan brought great success to City over the last three years but league results have been a cause for concern this season.

Salford have picked up just one point from their first seven games and are rooted to the foot of the UniBond League First Division North table.

Their cup form has been good, however, and they looked set to secure an FA Cup replay at Prescot Cables until the home side scored an injury time winner direct from a free kick.

The goal was cruel on Salford, who had more than enough chances to win the game. And the nature of the goal was even crueller.

Salford had possession of the ball just outside Prescot’s penalty area when the referee stopped play so that an injured home player could get treatment. He then inexplicably restarted the game by giving Prescot a drop ball. They immediately hammered it forward and won a free kick which resulted in a red card for impressive City defender Simon Myerscough and a goal for Paul Williams.

That was Prescot’s second free kick goal with the other coming against the run of play via Colin Flood on 37 minutes.

Salford’s Dion Depeiaza had earlier had a shot cleared off the line before he and Steve Brackenridge missed other good chances. But there was no denying City midfielder Lathan Forrester on 40 minutes when he went past two defenders before firing home from a tight angle.

City broke new ground by fielding 17-year-old Rory Carson in the game.

He has joined the club on work experience from Bradford City and is a regular Northern Ireland Under-17s international who has also played for his country’s under-20s and under-19s sides.

Salford’s next game is at home to Gresley Rovers in the FA Carlsberg Trophy on Saturday, October 4, kick-off 3pm. They then make the long trip to mid-table Colwyn Bay for a league match on Monday, October 6, kick-off 7.45pm.