Tuesday 2nd September 2014 7.45
FA Cup Preliminary Round Replay
Salford City 6 Congleton Town 4 ht: 1-0 aet: 3-3 ft att: 249
Madeley 34,87, Seddon 75, 95, Webber 98, Kirby 111 : Alcock 57, 71, Rutter 61, 120 (pen)
Salford City have been bought by five of the ‘class of ’92’ this season. The historic club, that has been through tough times, is now in the hands of Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs. There is a real buzz about the place now, crowds have come back (with a marked increase in women) and they started the season with four straight wins in the Evostik One North, winning team of the month for August.
Two TV gantries are set up to record a documentary and much building work is going on as the ‘class of ’92’ try to realise a vision of championship football in 15 years. The only downside for me this evening was that their wonderful main stand was stark naked, stripped of all signage and colour, ready for a makeover. A study in concrete. Despite its nudity it is still a classic stand to behold.
The game was a classic FA Cup tie. Salford, a division higher, looked to be heading comfortably into the next round when Congleton announced their presence with a 25 yard volley. Four minutes later it was 2-1 and 10 minutes after that it looked like the lower league club had put one over on their hosts, 3-1 up with less than 20 to play.
Salford quickly got one back to set up a dramatic finish where an equaliser came three minutes from time. Salford then dominated extra time, Seddon firing in a free kick before Webber made it 5-3 in the first half of ET. It was 6-3 shortly after the break and the Bears got a late consolation from the penalty spot.
The Groundhog 