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City on glory trail

29/ 8/2002

DESPITE going a goal behind on Teesside at the weekend, Salford City cruised through to an FA Cup Preliminary Round away tie against Albany Northern League side Shildon on Saturday.

In the opening half-hour Marske simply had no answer to Salford's stylish passing football and such was City's superiority that the local fans had given up hope of a revival by half-time.

The opening goal of the game, however, had come totally against the run of play. Following his quick burst down the left wing, Booth's cross was slammed home by Ward after 33 minutes. Salford's reply was immediate. Dave Gardner did some good work down the right and his cross was headed past Jackson by Rhodri Giggs at the back post.

Until this point City had been unable to translate their domination into goals. On three occasions the ball bounced in front of the Marske line but no Salford player was on hand to find the net. Two more goalbound efforts hit defenders' legs and when the ball did go in the effort was ruled out for an infringement.

Once they drew level Salford quickly took the lead when midfield man Francis Vaughan made a good run and his strong drive across the six-yard line caused panic and Gibbin sliced the ball past his own keeper. Two minutes from the interval, the lively Giggs put the visitors firmly in the driving seat after being involved in a neat build-up.

City keeper Phil Melville had to be alert to stop a shot from Booth early in the second half, but a great individual goal from Gardner in the 53rd minute rounded off the win. Collecting the ball in his own half, Gardner sped past four defenders and his well-struck shotgave keeper Jackson no chance.

Vaughan almost made it five but having rounded the keeper he saw his angled shot deflected for a corner. City's dominance enabled manager Andy Brown to send on all his subs for valuable match action.

City go up to the North East again on Saturday morning aiming to extend their cup involvement and collect some valuable sponsorship money on the way.

• SALFORD are due to entertain Glossop North End in a North West Counties First Division match on Tuesday (7.45pm) but if Saturday's cup tie is drawn Shildon will visit Moor Lane on Tuesday.