Saltney Town FC

SALTNEY made it four successive victories at the expense of Garden Village, but they had to work hard to pick up all three points in the windswept Bradley.

The blustery conditions were far from conducive to football and it showed in a first half where a real lack in quality was present. Even Saltney’s short passing game suffered as real chances were few and far between.

In the dying moments of the first half the gales started to subdue. Centre half Mathew Wintle took full advantage lofting in 35-yard free kick that was fired home from close range by fellow defender Mark Williams.

With the wind retreating Saltney knew they were capable of much more and within a minute they had doubled their lead. Marc Gunther with a delightful side volley found Jake Gibbons whose one-two with skipper Shaun Hughes worked the glorious opportunity.

Chris Woodward was in fine form in the middle of the park, and on fifty minutes his through ball fuelled Saltney’s third. Jake Gibbons latched on and fired but the home ‘keeper was up to the save. Unfortunately he could not do anything about Shaun Hughes following up and converting the chance.

Changes were made with Jason Wright and Ricky Right replacing Paul Hughes and David Gregory.

It wasn’t the most prestigious introductions for Ricky Wright. After the travellers not clearing their lines Wright was forced to make a challenge. The referee deemed that at foul had been committed and pointed to the spot. This left everyone bewildered as the tackle had definitely been made at least three-yards outside the area. Mike Edwards couldn’t prevent the spot-kick hitting the net and Saltney’s lead was reduced to two.

Conceding the goal simply fuelled Saltney’s determination and it all seemed too easy when less than a minute later Tom Price drove hard down the Saltney left. A cheeky one-two with Woodward, then feeding Gibbons for Saltney’s fourth and his second of the game.

Saltney were hungry for more, they ran hard and hassled the home side all over the park. On 74 minutes Shaun Hughes intercepted a stray back pass, punishing the offender with an excellent finish.

Dane Mason was then introduced for Marc Gunther. Mason took on the holding midfield role, with Jason Wright taking up an attacking position.

Within two minutes Wright increased the score line to 6-1. Intercepting the ‘keepers clearance 30-yards out, Wright simply shifted the ball and unleashed a rocket back over the ‘keepers head.

Moments later Wright became scorer turned creator. Collecting the ball in his own half Wright drove down the Saltney Wright, leaving any challengers in his wake. An excellent turn at the by-line created enough room to deliver a tempting cross for Ricky Wright to volley home. An excellent goal at any level of the game!

In this mood Saltney looked unbeatable and when Shaun Hughes provided Gibbons the chance to claim his hat-trick and in turn take the score line to 8-1 he duly obliged.

Overall, this was another excellent performance on the road for Saltney. Their start to 2012 has been nothing short of blistering with 21 goals in the three opening matches. There is still a lot of work to be done in their nine remaining league games but on this form they are going to take some stopping.


Chairman’s Man of the Match: Tom Price

Saltney Town goals: Marc Williams (42)
Jake Gibbons (46, 56, 80)
Shaun Hughes (50, 74)
Jason Wright (77)
Ricky Wright (79)