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Classy Carroll saves the day

28/ 2/2001

NW Counties Div One: Salford City 1 Great Harwood Town 0

DESPITE playing for an hour with 10 men, Salford did just enough to take maximum points from a struggling Great Harwood side in a game which never rose to any great heights.

The absence of centre half Dave Chadwick and forward Mattie Hughes through injury and illness saw defender Rob Kelly get a recall to the team for the first time since he broke an ankle in the FA Cup tie against Harrogate Town back in the middle of September.

Unfortunately, his return was short-lived when he was red-carded by the referee for a professional foul after just half an hour.

The City defence had been caught square and Town's Paul Walker chased a ball hit over the top. He was through on goal when brought down by Kelly and there was little argument when he was dismissed.

The only goal of the game arrived five minutes after Kelly's expulsion. Tony Cullen broke up a Town attack and, following a surging 50-yard break, his cross was expertly delivered into the back of the net by Tony Carroll from inside the Harwood box.

City used their experience to good effect to contain the visitors and play out time to ensure the narrowest of victories. This now makes it four league wins in succession.

• THIS weekend, weather permitting, Salford travel to Atherton LR, kick off 3pm.

Next Tuesday, instead of the scheduled fixture at Warrington, they will probably have to return to Mossley for the Manchester Premier Cup Semi Final. Earlier in the week, with City trailing 1-0, the match was abandoned following a floodlight failure with 12 minutes remaining.