We’re title challengers

Source: Salford Advertiser

Salford City 2
FC United 1

SALFORD City’s stunning comeback win against FC United has strengthened Gary Fellows’ belief that his side can challenge for the title this season.

Stoppage time strikes from Jamie Bagguley and Nick Robinson ended table-topping United’s record equalling run of 12 straight victories in the North West Counties League first division.

City’s players ran their hearts out in front of the club’s biggest ever crowd of 4,058 at Salford City Reds’ Willows stadium. They had the better of the chances and the result lifted City up to third in the table, eight points behind FC with a game in hand.

Salford manager Fellows said: "We can definitely challenge for the title. We have got the players for it. It’s a young squad but a very good squad."

FC looked to have pulled off a smash and grab raid when Josh Howard opened the scoring on 80 minutes. Salford’s defence switched off from a free kick and Howard slotted an angled shot past goalkeeper Andy Moores.

Salford needed a saviour and substitute Bagguley stepped up to the plate.

How ironic that it was a former Manchester United youth team player who ended up breaking the rebel reds’ hearts!

Bagguley’s stunning 30-yard free kick levelled matters as the game drifted into injury time. It flew into the top corner to send the ‘home’ fans into raptures.

And the decibels raised even higher when Nick Robinson chested down Bagguley’s cross and drilled the ball under on-rushing goalkeeper Sam Ashton.

Dale Whitehead had earlier hit the FC bar with a speculative curler from outside the box while defender Andrew Pendlebury cleared a shot from Rory Patterson off City’s line.

Salford came into the FC United game on the back of a 6-1 victory at lowly Stone Dominoes on Saturday.

They showed breathtaking form and scored goals via John Robinson (3), Tunje Moses, Mattie Burke and Bagguley.

Bagguley’s classy long range drive was the pick of the bunch.

City’s next league game will be at home to Congleton Town on Tuesday, October 10, kick-off 7.45pm. Before that, Salford will host Blackpool Mechanics at Moor Lane in the first round proper of the FA Vase on Saturday, October 7, kick-off 3pm.

City’s youth team won Sunday’s top of the table clash at Bootle 3-1. Their goals were scored by Lathan Forrester, Curtis Connell and free kick specialist Richard Dunn.

First published by the Salford Advertiser