Star date: 4th March 2012

Salford City 3 Durham City 0

SUPREME SALFORD DESTROY DURHAM

Salford City are back in the play off hunt after stuffing sixth place Durham in the Evo-Stik First Division North, with goals by Cayne Hanley, Scott Metcalfe and Adam Morning.

Moor Lane has now become a fortress as the Ammies have only been beaten twice at home in the league all season.

Match report and photos here…

On paper this looked like a tricky match for Salford, with Durham City standing sixth in the league. But from the kick off to the final whistle the Ammies completely dominated and could have ended up with a five or six goal victory – or as the Salford fans sang, `We should be winning 12-0!'

The game was only 15 minutes old when Osebi Abadaki went roaring down the left wing channel and crossed for Cayne Hanley, lurking near the penalty spot, to hit a stunning volley past the bemused Durham keeper. A top, top goal. 1-0.

A few minutes later the lead could have been doubled when Abadaki broke clear of the Durham defence, rounded the keeper but blazed his shot over the bar from a tight angle.

Shortly after this Salford should have had a penalty when a Durham defender raised his arm to block a cross from the right…but the ref waved play on which completed a week of anti-Salford penalty decisions this week…

Last Tuesday night, against Witton Albion, Salford were denied a penalty when Scott Metcalfe was clearly pulled down by the keeper (see photos), while Witton were handed a penalty in the last minute as the ball hit a divot and bounced up off Alex Mortimer's shoulder. Those decisions cost Salford City two points in the final 1-1 draw which could be crucial come the end of the season.

…As it was, this latest crap decision didn't affect the final scoreline, with Durham wafting shots three miles over the Salford crossbar at every opportunity, and the Ammies getting a proper grip on the game shortly before the interval. Adam Morning crossed for Scott Metcalfe, with his back to goal in the six yard box. The winger kind of flicked the ball up with his heel, pirouetted and volleyed home a goal of supreme quality to match Cayne Hanley's stunning earlier effort.

Two brilliant goals and a fantastic advert for footy at this level. Indeed, given that the Match of the Day studios are now at MediaCityUK in Salford, maybe Gazza Lineker can send a few cameras over to real Salford to capture the beauty of Salford City FC.

With a half time lead of 2-0 the Ammies continued to dominate the second half, despite Durham's few attempts at goal that were met with ironic cheers from Salford fans, who were totally enjoying the occasion.

The score could have increased when Adam Morning skipped through the Durham defence twice, first hitting wide and then slapping a shot against the inside of the post. Morning got his deserved goal ten minutes from time when he dispossessed a Durham defender and carried the ball into the area before sliding it past the keeper. 3-0.

A good victory and a clean sheet for Salford who are coming good for the play off run in, despite losing more players every week. If Rhodri Giggs can stop any more players going before the end of the season the play offs are still a possibility, given the games in hand the Ammies have got. Durham City were sixth but they had played six more games than Salford. Durham had their own hopes of glory – but that was before they met the mighty Salford City FC…

Next game is Clitheroe at Moor Lane next Saturday 10th March 3pm kick off.

Photos by Andrew Goudie

Main photo, collage by Andrew Goudie showing Cayne Hanley's opening goal for Salford City