Daisy Hill succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in their first pre season fixture against
Salford City FC on a sun-kissed afternoon at New Sirs. Craig Thomas' side took the lead through Curtis Cummings, however three Salford goals finished the game off in the end. There seemed to be a real bumper crowd at New Sirs, with the anticipated arrival of Salford's famous new owners, with Paul Scholes, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs popping down to view their new investment.

Salford started the game well, enjoying a free flowing passing game in front of the crowd of 200 or so.

And it was the visitors who were fielding several new signings, who had the first effort on goal, with Simon Madeley heading over from a pin point cross, with seven minutes on the clock. Salford then had another effort go just passed the post after 15 minutes.

However, through all the pressure from Salford, it was Daisy who took the lead through Curtis Cummings.

Cummings shrugged off his man before slotting past Andy Robertson from a rather tight angle, to give Thomas's side a 26th minute lead.

Up the other end, Daisy were dealing with the Salford onslaught well, however three minutes later, Salford found their equaliser.
From a long ball pumped forward, Madeley flicked the ball onto Nicky Platt, with Platt playing the ball into the feet of Madeley, who poked past Steve Whittle after half an hour. Platt then saw his shot well saved by Whittle with ten minutes of the half to go. Salford had their second after 41 minutes played, with Madeley on the score-sheet again.
Simon Wiles played in a floating ball from the right hand side, which was met at the far post by the prolific striker, who nodded home.
With a minute to go until the break, Gareth Seddon smashed a powerful
effort towards goal from a tight angle, which was superbly tipped onto the bar by Whittle
The second half began how the first finished, with Daisy able to cope just about with the Salford attackers, as the three ringers watched on by the sidelines. As the game wore on, the hosts had a fantastic chance to equalise on the hour, with Tim Raines taking perhaps a touch to many and taking it around the keeper, before seeing his effort superbly cleared off the line.
Seddon punished Daisy for that miss, with the former Chester man finding Salford's third of the game after 65 minutes, after dragging the ball away from the on diving Whittle, before chipping him and wheeling away in
celebration. Daisy huffed and puffed late on, however Salford saw out the game, and a comfortable 3-1 win. Salford quality came through in the end but Daisy really matched them for spells which is positive for the new campaign.
By Ben Rearden

.

Match Preview

Match details

Match date

Kickoff

Meet time