Giggsy magic

Salford City 1-0 Hyde United
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Replay; attendance 391

Rhodri Giggs beat the offside flag and scored the only goal in a tight match. Whilst other clubs were kicking off their 3rd round games I took myself off to Moor Lane in Kersal, Salford for a re-match of the previous Tuesday. Then Hyde drew 2-2 with Salford.

It's a small cosy ex-rugby ground, and despite the club house getting burnt down last week it's still a welcoming place. The first half didn't see may chances for either side. Though Hyde who are two divisions higher were better organised. When they announced at half time that the tie would go to extra time and penalties I feared not getting home until gone 1900h. i knew this but you never consider it because you're expecting goals.

Second half took a seat in the big main stand. The Salford fans were behind me and they encourage the team and catch me on to the names of the players. Recognised Rhodri Giggs straight away. He runs like his brother, and I've seen him play a season at FC United. As thoughts of extra time came to mind he managed to race onto a ball for a one and one with the keeper. Slotted it home beautifully. Pity it's not on video. He celebrated by running round the back of the nets to the delight of those behind the goal.

Last few minutes Salford managed to hang on. There was about three minutes of added on time, but no announcement of it. Crowd sang songs about going to Wembley. Well it'll be more like meeting Blyth Spartans on Tuesday at this ground. They had a good cup run last year, remember watching them on Setanta. This is a good cup run for Salford, and hopefully i can get down after work in three days time and see it carry on.

Bit of a nightmare getting home. Manchester city centre was a traffic nightmare. Road works, fans coming out the netball international at the Arena, a fascist demo, an anti-fascist demo and scores of riot police, the bus station closed...

Admission £7; bus fares £4.30; donation £1; raffle tickets £1; cup of tea 85p; confectionary 35p; took my own pie for half time.

Dabbers Seen Off

FC United 4-0 Nantwich Town
Unibond Premier; attendance 1,650
at Ewen Fields, Hyde United FC
A mid-week travel adventure and what a cracking game. What we got was a slick passing FC United and a battling and always dangerous Nantwich. A red card in the second half for a Nantwich player, and a missed penalty by Nantwich in the first half - it hit the post.

So off to Hyde as the home game. Took the Hadfield train from Piccadilly at 1918 calling at Ashburys (very dark), Gorton (didn't know they had a station), Guide Bridge (brightly lit), Flowery Field (sound sbetter than it is)...must remember to get off next otherwise I'll end up in Godley, then Hadfield which is where they filmed the League of Gentlemen Tv series.

Caught a view of the floodlights soon after leaving the station, and a ten minute walk gets you into the ground. In fact a lovely ground - clean, sturdy, plenty of stands. Plus a very well kept pitch. Considering Hyde played Salford in the FA Cup the previous night after a day of heavy rain it was in remarkable condition.

Watched the first half from the main stand side. The Nantwich fans, about 30 of them, had brought along a drum, which is always annoying. The FC fans went through their songbook for the next 90 minutes. For the second half went to the FC end. I do have a preference for watching your own side score close-up. Lucky tonight managed to see all four goals. One from a free kick, round the wall and into the far left corner. Keeper looked pretty miffed he didn't save it. He looked miffed later on when the defence did a bit of ball watching from 6 yards out.

Admission £7.50, refreshments £2.30, bus & rail ticket £5.30 (at last I've managed to understand the combined tickets available in Manchester). Got home at 2250h and straight onto the red wine - a fruity South African organic fairtrade bottle suitable for mid-week drinking.

Eventually I should get to every football ground in Greater Manchester, there are about 40 and I have still have 15 to go....