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City rue missed chances in opening day defeat

Frank McCauley
17/ 8/2006

Salford City 1
Curzon Ashton 3

CHRISTMAS came early for visiting Curzon in the opening game of the new season at Moor Lane.

Salford created enough scoring chances to have won this match twice over but poor finishing and a disastrous last five minutes defensively left them with nothing to show for all their endeavour.

City manager Gary Fellows introduced three new signings to the line up with Donato D'Agreso coming in at centre back, Mattie Eckersley at left back and Richard Watson into midfield.

On a hard surface still showing the effects of the hot summer there was little between the teams in the opening exchanges until Salford took the lead on the quarter hour mark.

Watson ran across a Curzon defender to get to the ball in front of visiting keeper Ashley Timms and headed into the net.

The home side were in front for just seven minutes before weak defending allowed striker Mike Norton to get into the six-yard box and Paul Horridge in City's goal had no chance.

Both teams had half chances to go in front before the interval with Salford's best opportunity being a strong shot from Watson, which was well held by Timms.

After the break there were more scorned chances. On another day striker Nick Robinson might have walked off the pitch with a hat-trick.

He should really have found the net on 60 minutes but his header went clear of the target. He was also inches away from getting on the end of great crosses from first John Robinson and then Lee Mc Nally.

With Salford still pressing for the winner two defensive gaffes gave the points to Curzon. With five minutes remaining, Curzon striker Nick Fisher was upended in the box and Mike Norton rifled in the penalty kick.

Two minutes later young defender Eckersley carelessly gave away possession and Steven Moores placed the ball past Horridge to rap up the points for the visitors.

On Saturday, City start their FA Cup campaign at home against Shildon. Kick-off is 3pm.