Salford Battle Back To Snatch A Win
Salford were looking for back to back wins and would be tested by one of their fiercest rivals, after the previous defeat earlier on in the season Salford knew they had a point to prove today.
Salford started slowly with concerns that the conditions and the occasion had got to the players, Bradford on the other hand looked sharp playing some neat football and working the channels well putting the Salford full backs on the back foot.
Salford began to ease into the game creating a few half chances, but concerns began to grow about Salford's poor finishing that had dogged their season so far and was looking to continue. After wasting a dozen chances and still not really working the Bradford keeper, the Salford forward Chelsea Scholes rushed clear of the Bradford defence. The Bradford keeper charged out of her goal and pared the Salford forwards shot outside the penalty area. The assistant referee flagged and after a lengthy discussion the referee awarded Salford a free kick outside the box and booked the Bradford keeper. A strange decision to say the least. Consequently the free kick was pared over by the Bradford keeper only for the officials to award a goal kick. Another strange decision.
Bradford continued to play some neat football and on the half hour mark the ball found its way through to the Bradford forward, unchallenged and with the Salford defender stood watching, the forward comfortably finished past the Salford keeper to give the away side the lead, 1 - 0. The first half finished with Salford squandering more chances but the home side's football improved as the half progressed. Half-Time 0 - 1.
The second half continued the same as the first with Bradford playing some neat football, but Salford were clearly affected by their lack of finishing.
On the hour mark the referee awarded Bradford a free kick another strange decision and with the Salford player protesting, the referee brandished the player Chloe Llewellyn a yellow card, then warned the winger for kicking the ball away, and by further protesting with a Bradford player the referee decided to send off Chloe Llewellyn. A harsh decision to say the least. Down to ten players, Salford was up against it now.
After a few minutes Salford settled down and despite being one player short Salford began to dominate, playing much better football and creating better chances. With some bullish play by Abbie Wynn just outside the box the ball broke to Fay Abrehart who played a neat ball to Isha Mundell who finished clinically to draw the home side level, 1 - 1.
Salford continued to put the squeeze on the away side. With ten minutes left, the Salford winger Isha Mundell drove down the right flank and drilled a cross square of the Bradford goal for arriving Chelsea Scholes who's shot was first pared by the Bradford keeper but the rebound was smashed in by the Salford forward to give the home side the lead, 2 - 1. Salford made a couple of changes and went into a defensive formation to see out the game. Full-Time 2 - 1.
Player of the Match Joanne Phillips.
Two outstanding one on one saves to keep Salford in the game.
Two outstanding one on one saves to keep Salford in the game.
