Salford City have maintained their unbeaten start to life in the National League North with a domineering 2-0 win against Curzon Ashton.
Goals from Matthew Warburton and captain Simon Grand in the second half secured the win after a first half where chances came at a premium.
The result means The Ammies stay joint top courtesy of AFC Flyde beating Bradford Park Avenue 1-4, and Harrogate beating Yorkshire rivals FC Halifax Town 0-1.
Curzon got the first clear chance of the game after an early cross from Matthew Flynn found Niall Cummins in the box: the forward knocked it down for Paul Ennis who struck it with his right boot but the ball wwent sailing wide.
Both sides looked to be suffering from fatigue for Saturday’s matches as they played a game of trench warfare masquerading as the beautiful game.
The only other chance of note in the opening half hour was when Cummins received a ball deep in midfield and used all his skill to fire off an outside the boot shot.
For all the flash however, it did little to break the deadlock as it was so wide Jay Lynch had to come forward to collect the ball.
Salford did pick off a quick chance when a snap header from James Poole went over, a long throw from Michael Nottingham met a powerful header from Mike Phenix forced a clearance off the line, and with almost the final kick of the half, Matthew Warburton shot forced a superb save from Hakan Burton; in the space of two days Curzon’s defence went from a stack of Teflon to the walls of Jericho.
Hulme got the second half off to a whirlwind start for The Ammies after drifting past the defence he fired a curling shot that went just across the face of goal.
It was a crack in the siege wall that Hulme eventually brought crashing down, after Nottingham low cross it almost found the net, after a desperate clearance the ball eventually found the forward who fired the ball in the far corner.
Jordan Hulme breaks the deadlock for Salford City – Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
Warburton had a chance moments later after cutting inside, the winger found space in the box and dropped the shoulder, but his effort was well wide.
Salford went two goals up from a set piece that found the head of Simon Grand who powered in the ball well past Hakan Burton to score his second of the season.
Despite brief chances for Curzon, it was Salford who now had a stranglehold on the game, and showed no mercy when bringing on James Poole and Richie Allen.
Curzon substitute Hazledine tried an audacious chip from just past the centre circle, it would have been a contender for goal of the month of it did beat Lynch, but the keeper was sure to stop the ball.
The last chance for Curzon came from Ryan Hall who made a good solo run to get one on one with Lynch, but the goalie went down well to block the shot.
Salford will be glad the busy bank holiday schedule has come to an end, and welcome Alfreton at Moor Lane this Saturday for their next encounter.
Salford City (4-3-3): Lynch, Nottingham, O’Halloran, S Burton, Grand (capt), Priestley, King, Walker, Phenix (Poole ‘65), Warburton, Hulme (Allen ‘65).
Subs not used: Worley, Clark, Johnston,
Curzon Ashton (4-4-2): H Burton (Capt.) Rowney (Hazeldine ‘65), Guest, Hunt,D Hall (Shaw ‘39), Flynn, R Hall, Tomsett, Cummins (Wright ‘65), Ennis, Howard.
Subs not used: Mason, Gorman
Booked: Howard ‘18 Cummins ‘19
Referee: Joe Hall
Attendance: 808
Main image: Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes pose with young fans after Salford’s win – Charlotte Tattersall/@SalfordFCPhotos
