Salford City 5 Padiham 1 - Official Match Report

[andyg]

Some great goals to warm a cold and wet Moor Lane afternoon - see the official match report here...

[tangerinedream]

I am prepared to be shot down in flames but am I the only person to be disappointed with the final scoreline of 5-1. Four goals up within half an hour and then we go on to miss chance after chance - particularly in the second half - in a game where if we'd score 9 or 10 would not have flattered us. It was a great opportunity to claw back the goals we conceded against Kendal and Harrogate which could ultimately prove crucial should the play off places be decided on goal difference. Sam Madeley could and should have finished the afternoon with at least 4 goals to his credit but like others decided to try and walk the ball into the net. Still, a big consolation is that we created that many chances and hopefully will continue to do so but with a greater degree of clinical finishing.

A second penalty miss in successive home games was frustrating and predictably missed. I just don't understand why Jamie Rother wasn't allowed to take the kick as was his intention as I would have put my months wages on him scoring. Some very good individual performances though with Rother being my man of the match with his relentless running, tracking back, forward play and determined tackling. Also very impressed with Matt Chadwick who can only improve game by game.

Ultimately a pleasing result and performance but we'll face a much stiffer task at league leaders Northwich Victoria where we won't get a similar amount of time and space that we did against bottom placed Padiham and where clear cut scoring opportunities will certainly be need to be capitalised on.

[Chris P. Bacon]

Ok, I've brought my flame gun with me! ?

To be honest, I don't disagree with much of what you say. Apart from the fact I had 5-0 in the prediction league, I was disappointed that we conceded that goal. I was pleased that we kept our foot on the pedal and didn't sit back, but frustrated that we didn't increase our tally.

10-1 wouldn't have flattered us and I agree that Sam could and should have had at least 4. But I can't be too harsh on him. He was still running rings around their defence 90 minutes in. His work rate is so high that he's going to miss some that he should score.

It's hard to be critical after a good win, and it's true that we are still not at our best. But a good team will still pick up points even when playing badly. Our form is still a bit patchy, but we're picking up points. I'm hoping that we will still do this and get back to our early season form. I haven't given up on auto promotion, even though a play-off place looks favourite.

But we won, and improved our gd, so onwards and upwards.