Welcome to Ossett Town's `StadeFrance' where Wakefield have relocated for the season, due to no-one really knows. The `StadeFrance' sounds really grand but resembles some Romanian 10th division ground with more authoritarian notices on the walls than Iron Curtain Bucharest.
In reality it's a ghost ground where zillions of full rubbish bins are dotted around the terraces – but no-one is there, bar the Salford City hard core, a few old Wakefield supporters and, yes, a man and his dog.
Meanwhile, the cabbage patch pitch hindered Salford City's usual silky passing game but suited the hoof and hope tactics of the big blue Wakefield Avatars. It didn't make for a great game.
Salford, however, completely dominated the first half, Danny Heffernan fluffing a one-on-one with the keeper, before making amends in the 25th minute driving a shot under the keeper to open the scoring. Add to that a good claim for a penalty and an Adam Morning shot saved well at the near post, and the Ammies could have gone in at half time three or four goals to the good. Wakefield, in return offered nowt.
The second half developed into a scrap with the pitch making flowing football impossible. Eventually Rhodri Giggs brought on Cayne Hanley to liven up the attack and it paid dividends when Hanley flicked in an Adam Morning cross in the 83rd minute to make it 2-0.
And that seemed to be that, except it seemed to spur Wakefield on and, with a few minutes to go, they hit the post before getting a controversial penalty as the clock ticked down. With the ball bobbling around the area, the Avatars claimed hand ball. The referee waved play on, the linesman gave the penalty. 2-1.
The final scoreline flattered Wakefield, as Salford City should have been out of sight by half time. With the valuable league points in the bag, Rhodri Giggs' team now travel to North Ferriby United on Saturday for the big FA Trophy match with an even more valuable prize at stake.
For details of supporters coach to Ferriby see www.salfordcityfc.co.uk
Photos by Andrew Goudie – wanted in Ossett for eating a corn beef and HP Sauce sandwich at the ground, against regulations (and definitely wanted for crimes against sandwich taste)
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