Saltney Town FC

It was far from Saltney’s best performance of the season, but they were still too hot for the Lawmen to handle.

The home side made the perfect start. Dane Mason driving hard along the Saltney right flank hit the byline and cut the ball back for Ricky Wright to fire home from 6-yards out. That’s three-in-three for the new addition and a fantastic way to kick-off his first start for the club.
On ten minutes a quick turn and left footed strike by Jake Gibbons rocked the crossbar.

With a quarter of an hour played Saltney were sure they had earned a spot kick. Jason Wright linked up with Jake Gibbons who released Captain Shaun Hughes for a weaving run in to the travellers box where it looked like he was hacked from behind. Even the Lex players were surprised when the official pointed to the corner flag.

Saltney did not rest on their laurels. A minute later, some excellent one-touch play in the middle of the park left Ricky Wright in space out wide. A delightful cross eventually fell to Jake Gibbons on the edge of the box. An excellent piece of chest control was finished off with a delightful strike to double the home sides lead.

On 21 minutes the travellers created their first real opportunity. A lapse in the Saltney defence gifted the striker with a golden opportunity, but Saltney ‘keeper Mike Edwards made himself big and saved the effort with an outstretched leg.

The travellers continued to push and were rewarded shortly later. Micky Santangeli collected the ball wide, cut in past two defenders and unleashed his shot on goal. Unfortunately Mike Edwards misjudged the effort and could only push the ball in to his own net.

The wake-up call had desired effect and right from the kick-off Chris Woodward crafted an excellent through-ball for Jason Wright, but he could only shoot wide.

On the half-hour mark it was another great through-ball from the maestro Woodward that fuelled the home side’s third goal. This time it was Jake Gibbons who latched on and converted the chance with relative ease.

Although clearly the stronger of the two sides, Saltney failed to take full advantage in the second half. Dave Gregory, Marc Edwards and Lee Woodward were introduced for Tom Price, Chris Woodward and Jason Wright.

On 73 minutes a quick throw in by Shaun Hughes to Marc Edwards was returned back to the Captain. The pair worked the ball well between them before Jake Gibbons joined in and secured his hat-trick.

Saltney finished the game with a flourish, and in dramatic fashion. Substitute Lee Woodward whipping in a wonderful ball from the right flank watched on with delight as his effort dropped over the travelling ‘keeper and in to the back of the away sides net.

Despite being far from their best the Bordermen managed to record another high scoring home win and in-turn take one more step towards their goal of securing promotion at their second time of asking.

Goals: Ricky Wright (2)
Jake Gibbons (16, 31, 73)
Lee Woodward (84)
Chairman’s MOM: Matthew Howard