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Promotion chasers take four points out of six

22/ 3/2007

Football

SALFORD City stayed on course for promotion by picking up four points from their double-header with Trafford and Formby.

They had to be content with a share of the spoils at home to near neighbours and promotion rivals Trafford on Tuesday night having won 1-0 at Formby three days earlier.

The results kept City second in the North West Counties League first division table.

Controversy surrounded both goals in the 1-1 draw with Trafford.

Ged Kielty looked to be offside when he hit the crossbar for Trafford on 15 minutes. The ball came straight back to him and he confidently gave the visitors the lead.

Then on the 30th-minute mark Trafford's keeper brought down Nick Robinson and Mattie Burke efficiently converted the penalty kick. But the home supporters felt that former City keeper Damien Rooney was fortunate to remain on the pitch having only received a yellow card.

Rooney went on to thwart a Jamie Baguley shot with his legs. Nick Robinson also went close to scoring for Salford while skipper Sean Whitehead rattled the crossbar.

City's goal scoring hero at third from bottom Formby was Baguley.

He hammered home the rebound after recent striker signing David Grey had blasted the ball against the upright on 60 minutes.

Baguley also had a cross-shot headed off the line, Grey had a drive saved by the keeper's legs and Robinson was guilty of missing a sitter when he somehow failed to convert Grey's pass when virtually on the goal line.

Paul Wordley hit the woodwork for Formby, who edged the first half but were outclassed in the second.

Salford now find themselves without a league match for the next two weekends so they will be able to sit back and watch how their promotion rivals progress.

Meanwhile, a solitary goal from Curtis Connell gave City's youth team a crucial victory at close rivals Morecambe on Sunday. City are top of the North West Youth Alliance with only a few games left to play.