RED HOT HOGAN’S DOUBLE TROUBLE
SIR ALEX FERGUSON opened Salford City’s newly-named Peninsula Stadium this week – and the legendary Manchester United boss would have recognised the battling qualities of promotion hopefuls Salford City.
York almost rescued an unlikely point after hitting back twice to give the cruising home side a scare.
But the Ammies held on to record an important and deserved win after they dominated for most of the afternoon, with skipper Liam Hogan netting twice and Jack Redshaw adding another.
Goals from Louis Almond and Aidan Connolly’s screamer gave Martin Gray’s side hope, but they couldn’t quite manage a leveller.
Salford joint-manager Bernard Morley said: “This proves you don’t have to play well to win games as long as the desire and passion is there. We wanted it more for 90 per cent of the game but need to learn that we have to stay focused.”
There was a chance apiece after 15 minutes as Richie Allen’s shot was saved by York keeper Bailey Peackock-Farrell. From the counter David Ferguson tried a lobbed effort from the left that came back off the inside of the far post.
Salford took control midway through the first half. On 22 minutes, Touray’s free-kick from the right was nodded down by Michael Nottingham for Hogan to poke home from six yards out. Four minutes later Jack Redshaw doubled the lead with a swerving 22 yarder from left-of-centre that deceived Peacock-Farrell as it curved inside his righthand post.
And five minutes after the restart York fell further behind when Touray’s corner from the right fell just beyond the far post where Hogan arrived to poke home his second of the afternoon.
York manager Martin Grey made a trio of substi-
tutes but for a while those changes had little real effect.
Then, with seven minutes left, a York corner from the left was only cleared as far as Connolly, who took aim with a powerful effort from 18 yards that hit Crocombe’s left-hand post. Salford couldn’t clear and Almond took full advantage as he drilled a low shot in from 25-yards.
That goal encouraged the Minstermen – Josh Law hit the bar and Salford were shaking too.
The final minute of York’s strong spell finished with Connolly’s stunning 25-yad shot beating Crocombe to make it close.
York pressed during the four minute of time added on but couldn’t score again
“We defended badly from set-pieces, conceding from three,” Minstermen boss Gray said. “That left us with a mountain to climb but we showed character to get back into the game late on.”
STAR MAN: Liam Hogan (Salford) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★