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City crash out

14/11/2002

FOOTBALL:FA Vase - Salford City 1 Mossley 2

SALFORD went out of this season's Carlsberg FA Vase after a tense encounter against fellow North West Counties side Mossley.

Both teams contributed to a battling cup tie with the visitors just about deserving their place in the hat for the third round draw.

Mossley had the better of the opening exchanges with three opportunities missed in the first 20 minutes.

City keeper Phil Melville had to make a good save from Robert Matthews as early as the fifth minute. This was followed by a miskick in front of goal by Russell Headley and then Sean Pickering blazed over the crossbar from close range.

But Salford were not without their chances. A great chipped ball from Chris Willcock deceived the Mossley defence, but Rhodri Giggs failed to make contact by inches. And then a deflected shot from Giggs himself was saved low at the post by visiting keeper Robert Hackney.

Salford midfielder Francis Vaughan brought the best save of the half out of Hackney when he unleashed a thundering volley from 20 yards but the keeper finger tipped the ball over the bar for a corner kick.

Like the first, the second period was full of incident. Mossley edged in front 10 minutes after the break. Matthews broke from the left, easily went past Phil McGahey before placing his shot wide of Melville.

Within minutes, City were reduced to 10 men with the dismissal of influential midfielder Karl Marginson on the hour. The referee's assistant drew his attention to an off-the-ball incident and, following a consultation, the referee produced the red card.

And yet four minutes later, Salford were level and back in the cup tie. Gary Vaughan was fouled - and a quick free-kick from Giggs showed alertness of mind and good balance to put the ball past the advancing keeper.

Giggs then went close with a spectacular overhead scissors kick. With the crowd thinking that extra time could be on the cards, Mossley regained their composure and a

corner seven minutes from time flashed into the Salford net off the head of visiting central defender Mark Phillips.

Try as they might, City had nothing left in the tank, and Mossley gained revenge for their defeat at the hands of City in last season's Manchester Premier Cup semi-final.

It's back to the bread and butter of league football for City on Saturday when Ramsbottom United come to Moor Lane (3pm). United's form has been pretty indifferent this season and Andy Brown's men should be confident of getting back to winning ways and keeping the pressure on early pacesetters Prescot Cables.