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Giggs slays City!

Frank McCauley
26/ 4/2007

FC United 4 Salford City 2:

A POOR start to the second half and a hat-trick from ex-Salford player Rhodri Giggs put paid to City's hopes of gaining automatic promotion.

Salford made a bright start to Saturday's North West Counties League first division game at Gigg Lane and shocked the vociferous home support in the 12th minute when a defence splitting pass from Jamie Bagguley sent Nick Robinson through on goal and he calmly slotted the ball past FC keeper Sam Ashton.

FC's equaliser on 35 minutes was tinged with controversy. From a corner, Giggs dispatched a sweet volley past City keeper Andy Moore from 20 yards out but Salford's players claimed the goal should have been disallowed for a foul on Dale Whitehead.

The concussed Whitehead failed to reappear after the interval and, as in recent games, City failed to get back into their stride.

Within two minutes, FC's Nicky Platt hit a first time shot from the edge of the penalty box which seemed to go through Moore's body and into the net to put the league champions in front.

Then with no apparent danger, Robinson lost possession deep in his own half and, following a neat one-two with Wright, Giggs hit his second goal of the game.

Robinson almost redeemed himself within a minute at the other end but he was thwarted by a good save.

Further chances fell the way of United before City got their act together. The introduction of substitute Tommy Turner put more vigour and commitment into the side and it was Turner who threw the Moor Lane team a lifeline with 20 minutes remaining when he waltzed through the home defence and rattled in unstoppable shot.

Salford pushed forward in search of an equaliser only to be hit by a late sucker punch from Giggs, who had been difficult to contain all afternoon.

City host Nantwich Town in their final game of the season on Saturday, April 28, kick-off 3pm.

They need something from the game to finish in fourth spot.