Salford City created a giant-killing FA cup upset by beating League Two’s Notts County at Moor Lane tonight.
Goals from Danny Webber and a superb individual strike by Richie Allen sealed the historic victory, putting The Ammies into the second round for the first time in their 75-year history.
In a game full of high intensity and passion, the home side were full value for their victory.
Excitement had been brewing at Moor Lane ever since the draw for the first round was made.
And with the floodlit game in front of the BBC cameras there was a real feeling in the air that the Class of 92 owned side could cause a massive upset.
A disbelieving media see Salford rule the world
#FACupShock
@MENnewsdesk @SalfordOnline @ILoveMCR @_lovemanchester pic.twitter.com/VnLqo5JSVF
— Carl Thompson (@carl_thompson70) November 6, 2015
The away side, featuring former Manchester United stars Alan Smith and Roy Carroll, were caught cold by the high press of the enthusiastic Salford side, and it was they who almost took the lead with the best chance of the first half through Jordan Hulme.
After breaking through the County defence, Hulme skipped past Alan Sheehan and rounded Roy Carroll.
However, the striker lost composure at the last moment, running the ball out of play with a gaping goal in front of him.
This should have been a warning for the League Two side, 59 places above their hosts.
It wasn’t heeded though, and moments into the second half, Salford City took a deserved lead.
After some great work on the right hand side, the instrumental Poole supplied a wonderful cross for Danny Webber who prodded the ball home from close range.
Perhaps some irony that with the spotlight being on the ‘Class of 92’ owners, it was another former United player who was writing the headlines.
Salford’s work was almost undone minutes after their opener.
Poor defending saw Adam Campbell race through and poke the ball under the body of ‘keeper, Jay Lynch. However, a brilliant goalline clearance by Steven Howson maintained The Ammies’ lead.
Now, it was all Salford, and after Jordan Hume saw his superb curler cannon off the cross bar, The Ammies doubled their lead in spectacular fashion.
Surrounded by three County players on the touchline, Richie Allen produced a tremendous piece of skill to wriggle away from the trio before curling the ball neatly into the bottom corner, out of the despairing reach of Roy Carroll.
At this point, Notts County’s heads were down; they knew that they were the FA Cup’s latest victims of the cup shock. Little Salford City, destined for big things, had knocked out a team three leagues above them.
Who said the FA Cup was dead?
Picture by @GAZT7
