Saturday, 2 September 2017

Match report: Weatherfield County vs FC Salford

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Sports journalist Nathan Spafford gives us a very special report from today's Weatherfield County game.  

Find out more about Weatherfield County FC here.

 Weatherfield County tasted defeat for the first time this season thanks to clinical finishing from Neil Copperbottom whose hat-trick ensured a 3-1 victory for FC Salford.

 Following last week’s dramatic win, the hosts could have been forgiven for thinking their game against relegation favourites Salford would be a walk in the park. Little did they know it would be more akin to a Nick Tilsley run through the Red Rec as the visitors ran riot with three second half goals.

In front of a bumper crowd of 312, owing to the international break, Weatherfield’s second successive home game ended in heavy defeat so calamitous that mascot Ronnie the Rooster left before the 90 minutes were up. 

After a goalless first half which saw the natives become restless having all stayed in on Friday night with no entertaining stories to tell (apparently), the second 45 minutes were a disaster. Shortly after the restart, Copperbottom poked in from close range after ‘keeper Tom Hastings made his second mistake in as many weeks, dropping a simple cross at the feet of the miraculously named forward who once had an unsuccessful trial in the luminous green of County.

 With star player Tommy Orpington cutting a peripheral figure up front, Salford doubled their advantage just past the hour mark as Tommy ‘Doesn’t Do Trials’ Copperbottom showed quick feet and quicker thinking to tee himself up for a half volleyed finish which left County’s mascot raging at the lacklustre defence.

The game was put to bed just minutes later as Copperbottom completed his treble, though from an offside position which the 15-year-old assistant referee failed to pick up on. Having rounded the (ahem) shot stopper Hastings, he was left with an open net to tap into before celebrating deliriously with the dozen and a half travelling fans.

 A late in-swinging Weatherfield corner looked to be heading out of play but a touch from none other than Ronnie the Rooster at the crowded back post went unnoticed by the officials, affording Orpington an easy tap home despite the protestations of the away side.

 Having contributed more than most of the human players, the Rooster left the stadium before full time and is yet to be seen since. If you’re in the Weatherfield area, be on the lookout for a seven foot bird.
Nathan Spafford
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