Salford City made a major recovery from Tuesday night’s defeat at Darlington with a 3-1 win over local promotion rivals Ashton United at Moor Lane.
A dominant performance by The Ammies was rounded off by goal from James Poole, an own goal by Cavell Coo and a Richie Allen penalty giving them a win and climbing to second in the table.
Ashton did have a sniff of getting back into the game thanks to an own goal by Steve O’Halloran, however Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley’s men stood firm in defence.
With Workington drawing against Grantham the win puts four points between Salford and Stourbridge, the highest-placed team outside the play-offs.
City started the game at full throttle, with James Poole doing well to create space for himself on the right wing, but Gumbs couldn’t continue the movement as his cross was blocked by the Ashton defence.
Salford had another good chance on the quarter-hour when John Johnston surged down the left, taking out Cavel Coo in the process, however his low cross wasn’t directed well and easily fell into the hands of Paul Phillips.
Johnston was influential in Salford’s first goal a minute later.
Surging again down the left his cross this time was met by James Poole who continued his sensational scoring run this season.
The winger would have a crack for himself a minute later, but his low shot was easily collected by the Ashton keeper.
Salford counter-attacking exploits were in fine fettle in the opening half hour.
A free kick resulted in a lung-busting charge by James Poole with Johnson continuing the run, but the Ashton defence stood firm to force the ball out of play.
At the end of the first half, full back Steve Howson’s ambitious bicycle kick volley off a low corner by Poole cheered the Moor Lane crowd, but his efforts came to however his efforts came to naught as the ball sailed over the crossbar.
Coo had the first chance of the second half, picking up a ball from 30 yards off a rebound, however the full back proved why he is a defender as his shot ended up somewhere on the surface of Mars.
Jordan Hulme showed off some impressive dribbling in the 50th minute and looked in a prime position to deliver a devastating cross, however it sailed over.
Salford would get their second goal with the very next chance, after a whipped corner was put into Ashton’s own net by Coo, who didn’t have a game to remember today.
Ashton were lucky to have 11 men on the pitch for the remainder of their game after a chance by Hine the goalkeeper wrapped his arms around the player in an aggressive manner, however nothing was done about it by the referee.
Ashton were given a favour not long after the hour mark thanks to an own goal from Steve O’Halloran: the full back played superbly up until that point but stuck his foot out for a corner and the ball deflected off his shinpad into the net; it was a cool finish, just at the wrong end.
Salford almost established their two-goal lead moments later when a superb cross by Poole was met with the head of a charging Hine. Despite the power on the header, he couldn’t apply the direction as the ball went wide.
For the third Salford chance in a Row Hine would once again be influential, once again running down the right wing before cutting into his stronger foot. This time his shot was more powerful, but once again saved well by Phillips.
Ashton had the next chance though just after the 70 minute mark, when Adam Morning received the ball on the left and fired a shot well blocked by O’Halloran.
Moments later The Robins had another chance to equalise, this time coming from Ben Wharton who floated in a high cross aimed at Martin Pilkington, however the striker couldn’t quite reach the cross, as it sailed out for a goal kick.
The visitors almost equalised in spectacular fashion 5 minutes from full time, as Eddie Turner fired a thunderbolt from 25 yards out, however the ball went just over the bar.
The chance did seem to give Salford a sense of urgency though, as The Ammies launched a lightning counter that would have lead to a third goal, if it wasn’t for the defensive prowess of Mark Lees.
Another equalizing chance would come for Ashton late in the game thanks to a long throw by Stephen Mason which was met with a placed header that Lynch did excellently to catch.
That lead to another trademark Salford counter, lead by Richie Allen who made a box to box run before side footing his shot, however a diving Phillips denied Salford the goal that would have certainly won then the game.
Salford were given a golden opportunity to win the game towards the end of a bloated injury time period when they won a penalty after a handball by an Ashton defender.
It was a chance that Richie Allen wouldn’t miss, and make Salford City’s victory certain.
Salford City (4-4-2): J Lynch, Gumbs, O’Halloran, Stopforth, Howson, C Lynch (c), Johnston (Allen ‘83), Clark, Hine (Mwasile ‘95),Hulme, Poole (Moses ‘57).
Subs not used: Webber, Seddon
Ashton (4-4-2): Phillips, Coo, Mason, Gorton (capt.), Connor, Lees, Marshall, Gee (Toner ‘76), Pilkington, Chadwick (Wharton ‘57), Morning (Baguley ‘76).
Subs not used: Haining, Melia
Referee: Martyn Radcliffe
Main image by @SalfordFCPhotos/Charlotte Tattersall
