Boxing Day at the other Trafford

Trafford 5-2 Salford City
Unibond Division 1 North; attendance 176
As soon as I finished watching the Stoke City v. United game it was onto le velo for a dash to the Shawe View ground in Flixton. They let you open the side gate here and lock your bike up near the turnstile. Made it just in time for kick-off, breathless and thirsty. Straight to the excellent tea hut situated on the half way line.

Didn't have to wait long for a goal, about 10 minutes from Scott Barlow the top scorer in this league. Expecting a landslide Trafford victory as Salford have only won once this season and are heading back to the North West Counties. Three nil up after 30 minutes or so, then Salford pull one back which spurs the visitors to play better. Trafford are sleeping now so by half time it's 3-2.

It's a beautiful crisp bright day and another cup of tea is needed. We have the ritual of about a ten Salford fans swopping goal ends with about 17 Trafford fans. Second half is more vigourous and gritty with Trafford eventually getting on top with two more goals.

Now for the bike ride home, which is done on a steady 3rd gear under streetlights through the quiet roads of Urmston and Stretford.

Game 58; admission £7, tea £1 (two cups), and £1 for a ticket for time of first goal (got 87th minute away side - so no chance).