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BECKHAM SEES CITY STUMBLE

24/12/2002

North West Counties Division One

Salford City 1

Warrington Town 2

THE PRESENCE of England captain David Beckham as an interested spectator failed to inspire City at Moor Lane on Saturday against a team they had beaten away from home only seven days previously, writes Frank McCauley.

With Salford losing at half-time the Manchester United midfield star had seen enough and failed to reappear for the second half.

The result puts a severe dent in Salford's title aspirations and their two league fixtures over the holiday period now take on added importance.

Warrington went in front after 13 minutes when Neil Smith easily converted a penalty, awarded when City keeper Phil Melville upended Dave Tickle.

For the next 20 minutes Town's goal led a charmed existence. Following a good run by John Robinson, Dave Brown flicked the ball just wide of the post.

David Chadwick had a strong header cleared off the line and Francis Vaughan had the rebound blocked by keeper Terry O'Hanlon before Robinson blazed the ball over the bar. The pressure finally paid off when on 25 minutes a Dave Gardner corner fell perfectly for Brown and his strong drive went through a ruck of players into the net.

It seemed just a matter of time before Salford found the breakthrough, but it was Warrington who claimed the winner - against the run of play. With seemingly little danger Andrew Moore was given too much time and allowed too much space to plant his shot past Melville from 15 yards.

In the second half the visitors dug deep to frustrate Salford, whose scoring chances were limited while Smith almost hit his second but his shot hit the bar.

Manager Andy Brown will be looking for six points in the three-day spell, away to Curzon Ashton on Boxing Day and at home to Mossley on Surday (3pm). Mossley, who recently signed Salford lad Tony Ellis, a former Preston and Blackpool striker, have already won at Moor Lane this season, putting City out of the Carlsberg FA Vase.