Salford City 2-0 Nantwich Town: Ammies march on in FA Cup
- adamhigginsuk
- Sep 13, 2014
- 4 min read
(Image courtesy of Chris Hayes on Twitter)
SALFORD City reached the second qualifying round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 victory over Nantwich Town after an enthralling encounter at Moor Lane.
Both sides created opportunities during an even first half as Nantwich's Max Harrop hit the crossbar with a bending free-kick.
Salford were guilty of squandering a series of openings before Gareth Seddon broke the deadlock 15 minutes from time, heading in Nicky Platt’s corner at the back post.
And Danny Webber sealed a first qualifying round win for the Ammies by firing home an unstoppable shot in injury time.
The Evo Stik First Division North leaders, who are now unbeaten in nine games this season in all competitions, needed extra-time to overcome Congleton in a replay in the preliminary round.
However, in front of the watching Phil and Gary Neville, Phil Power's side showed plenty of resilience and quality to overcome opponents who preside in a division above them.
The Dabbers - who sit 15th in the Northern Premier Division, the seventh tier of English football - have now lost their last four games.
Although boss Danny Johnson will be pleased with elements of the performance in an entertaining cup tie which seemed destined for a midweek replay at the Weaver Stadium before the two goals in the final 15 minutes.
Both sides demonstrated a willingness to attack with purpose from the start, which made for a refreshing tempo to proceedings.
Salford were first to threaten after 13 minutes when former Chester striker Seddon was denied by onrushing keeper Aaron Ashley following an intricate passing move before Jamie Rother blasted a shot against Adam Jones moments later.
Nantwich posed a danger with the pace of Aaron Burns and Alex Meaney down the flanks and the latter delivered a pinpoint cross for Burns, whose powerful header was parried away by former Bolton keeper Jay Lynch in the Ammies goal.
The visitors managed to get into excellent positions in the final third without finding the end product to match in an open and competitive game.
Salford, who had scored 16 times in their previous four home games, were largely wasteful in front of goal as Seddon fired over the crossbar from 20 yards before an unmarked Rother was denied by Ashley from a square pass by Sam Madeley.
Nantwich enjoyed more of the territorial advantage in the opening 45 minutes as Harry Clayton curled wide from Harrop’s lay-off before captain Mark Jones headed over from a corner six yards out.
The Cheshire-based side went closest to the breakthrough shortly before the break when Harrop curled a delightful free-kick from the left hand side against the top of the crossbar.
Moments later, Harrop's cross-cum-shot evaded the far post when fed by a disguised pass from Clayton which prized open the Ammies defence.
The action ebbed and flowed at the start of the second period as Seddon called Ashley into action at the near post after cutting onto his left foot from James Moss's incisive reverse pass.
At the opposite end, Clayton dragged a shot narrowly wide from distance when fed by Kyle Blake, who then crossed to the back post for Clayton to head straight at Lynch.
Salford's season so far:
Opposition Venue Score
Scarborough Athletic H 4-1
Warrington Town A 0-2
Mossley A 1-3
Droylsden H 2-1
Congleton Town A 0-0
Congleton Town H 6-4
Spennymoor Town A 0-0
Ossett Albion H 4-0
Nantwich Town H 2-0
As expected of the higher tier side, Nantwich gained a measure of control but could not reap the rewards by converting chances.
Clayton pulled another effort past the post from a promising position after Salford’s handball shouts against Harrop fell on deaf ears.
Salford sensed signs of vulnerability in the Dabbers rearguard and began to patiently probe with Seddon and the all-action Webber heavily involved in the play.
Seddon directed a header from Webber’s cross into the midriff of Ashley before Webber had a penalty appeal turned down when he felt he was bundled over by Andy White.
Rother trickled another shot narrowly wide as the Ammies built up a positive spell of pressure which eventually paid off with the opener on 75 minutes.
An inswinging Nicky Platt corner caused all sorts of problems and Seddon was on hand at the back post to nod home his seventh goal of the season, becoming the club's outright top scorer.
Boss Power introduced Danny Browne in place of Madeley and the diminutive midfielder made an immediate impact with a half-volley which was denied by Lynch and another effort which flew inches beyond the post.
Nantwich always looked capable of scoring, with substitute Vincent Mukendi producing a save from Lynch in the closing stages, but Salford had impressively wrestled the initiative from their grasp.
And the hosts confirmed their place in Monday's draw for the second qualifying round in the second minute of stoppage time.
Webber, released by substitute James Kirby, rifled into the top corner to spark some fans chanting prematurely about going all the way to Wembley.
The Ammies, who will now receive £3,000 in prize money, have three more rounds to negotiate before reaching the First Round Proper.
Teams:
Salford City (4-3-3): Lynch, Edgehill, Moss (Walters 90+3), Platt, Lynch (C), Linwood, Dunn, Rother, Webber, Seddon (Kirby 85), Madeley (Browne 79).
Substitutes: Smith (GK), Wiles, Chadwick.
Booked: Madeley (69)
Nantwich Town (4-2-3-1): Ashley, Lycett (Flynn 79), A Jones (Scott 90+3), White, M Jones (C), Dowling, Clayton, Blake, Burns, Harrop, Meaney (Mukendi 61).
Substitutes: Wright (GK), Johnson, Callaghan, Bramall.
Booked: None
Referee: Michael Hanley (Plymouth) Attendance: 412
At Moor Lane
Last updated: 13 September 2014 18:42pm
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