Brace Yourselves!

It was to be a night journey home for players and fans alike that would see cats hide in fear of being kicked. A mild night greeted all to Moor Lane home of Salford City, Salford with improving results would be looking for the win. Boro with improving performances would be wanting to convert performances for points on the board.The first chance is Griff Jones's after the full back concedes he strikes from 25 yards, keeper saves one for the camera. The work ethic of G Jones and Roscoe is on show after 3 minutes as they hunt the keeper down forcing him to kick into touch. Salford loft passes to get behind Boro . Tobin to Foster who shoots tamely wild. Roscoe shows his intentions to win most things in the air and flicks are landing in the danger areas inviting Griff Jones at regular intervals. Roscoe is in the right place and shapes well to take the ball and shoot the keeper only parries to Drew who is given offside. Roscoe as early as the tenth minute is bossing the game and defenders are backing off already. Some niggling tackles cause Drew to have a rant at the ref as the Salford skipper Andrews is over zealous, the ref calls Drews captain over to cool him down. Drew goes on to foul Bearly on the edge of the box that is played short to Tobyn who shoots low and hard but the block is good. Boro win the free kick and Roberts steps up to send in a top quality cross that Roscoe rises above all to firmly place the perfect header back across goal and inside the post for a deserved lead on 20 minutes. Boro go on to dominate the half with Salford only having limited territory to play in. Sampson displays some good patient defending and sees off the threat of Tandy. Roscoe flicks a ball into the path of Drew who attacks the space with pace his shot although rising all the way was a great hit clearing the bar. Boro are driving forward and the ball is quickly moved from defence to attack. Roscoe and strike partner Griff Jones are running the City defence ragged, Mark Jones and Mark Drew are assisting the ball through the middle and are spoilt for choice as the front two are finding the runs. Griff Jones pays drew back after holding the ball well, his clever pass into the run of Drew is a gem but Drews first touch just puts him just too close to the line and the chance as gone. The boro full backs are working really hard up the field to keep the home side boxed in high up the field. Dawson is booked for his trip on Bearley as Salford have a rare foray forward. The half belonged to Boro and especially the Boro front line, the half time interval belonged to the throw back seventies DJ that played circa 1973 tunes throughout.
No changes during the break . Boro get forward early on Griff Jones is tripped as he turns away fro his marker , the free kick is nodded on to Griff Jones who looks for support but none arrive. Brookes wriggles free but his shot from distance as no sting but is on target. Salford gain some ground with Myers who forces Margarson to punch to Ahorne who sees his shot blocked. Roscoe turns in again to cause panic he sets up Drew who elects to shoot too early in the move. Griff Jones takes the ball down well and sends into the Boro number 9 he plays in short to Brookes who gets the shot in after getting the ball from under his feet. Within minutes Roscoe after good flank play by Roberts is on the edge of the d, he curls his shot just wide of the post. Salford send on their first sub Hargreaves for Andrews but its not enough to stop Roscoe notching his second of the night, a long kick up field is chased by Griff Jones who sends back to Roscoe he collects and lays off back to Griff Jones and heads for the box the return comes , he steadies, aims and slots home a perfect finish. Boro are 2 up and coasting on the hour with bets halted on a Roscoe hat trick. Mark Jones running from deep breaks into the last third with electric pace , he is forced wide but feeds into Brooke's on the edge of the box he leaves it for Drew who pushes his shot wide of the post. Then.........within the space of 4 minutes the game is level, how apart from pure bad luck i will never know. Salfords first real threatening move sees the ball out to the flank that is crossed hard and low to see the out stretched boot of Si Kelly steer the ball firmly into the goal for 2-1. Brooks gives the ball away to Myers who gets to the bye line before stabbing the ball in , the ball canons off Dawson at the near post and in, unbelievable. 2-2. Howson is sent on for Brookes and goes upfront with Roscoe, Griff Jones drops back just behind the two. The last 15 is a game of waiting for a winner that Boro deserve, Howson races on to two consecutive chances the first is blocked close i by the keeper and the second shot goes wide of the post. Salford begin to believe they can win and venture forward with better football. Tobin heads for goal and releases the shot that Margarson only parries, the city player follows up and shoots at goal, Dawson saves the day with a clearance off the line with his chest. Roscoe slides in a ball for Howson who sets and shoots the shot is deflected onto the bar and cleared. Salford use two more subs and 3 minutes are added. Boro have run out of time and Salford have used up all their luck. The ref blows and it should have been 3 points. A good game that is hard to work out how the points are shared. The positives have to be the way Griff jones and Adam Roscoe combined to look a real handful. Ex Boro man Mike Flynn an experienced player would have known he was in a game with the two to contend with. The negative for me was Drew being booked for dissent, he is a very good player that can keep the game alive and is a great partner in the middle with Mark Jones. We don't need him suspended.
Ah well 15 more grey hairs, two kicked cats and a game to look forward to on Saturday.

Next match carries an health warning!

see you there

Paul.