Salford City’s emphatic 5-0 win away to Whitby Town in the FA Cup first qualifying round has set up a local clash with Curzon Ashton in the next round on September 26.
Salford had it all to do in the replay after only managing a 1-1 draw at home on September 12, but Anthony Johnson’s men rallied in the replay and secured their place in the next round in some style.
Stockport-born James Poole, one of a raft of new players brought in during the off-season, notched a hat-trick as The Ammies ran riot after a slow start.
Fellow new man Elliott Kebbie notched his first for the club, with Jordan Hulme also amongst the scoring.
Poole, a former trainee at Manchester City, made quite the impression in his second appearance for the club since joining a week ago, and he was quick to praise his new employers in an interview with The FA Cup’s website.
Poole said: “Salford is probably the most talked about non-League club in recent years.
“The aspirations of everyone involved with the club are to go as far as we can, and when you are a player and a team is telling you that is their aim, you want to be a part of that.”
The midfielder is also confident that the side can go on a good run but maintained that they won’t get ahead of themselves.
“Although there’s been no clear aim that has been laid down by anyone, everybody knows that the first round proper is the target,” said Poole.
“We have two games to get through before we can think of that, but everyone in the competition has the aim of getting through qualifying and then getting a good draw.”
Salford City will be weary of their record against their local rivals in recent years, as they have yet to beat them in five previous meetings.
The Nash, who ply their trade in the division above, have won four of their last five games against City in a run that stretches as far back as 2012.
In those five games the National League North outfit have notched an impressive 14 goals, thrashing Salford 4-0 twice in 2013.
Aside from Salford and Curzon Ashton, there are many other Manchester sides involved in the next round as well as another local derby as Abbey Hey face off against Ashton United.
FC United of Manchester and Stalybridge Celtic enter the draw in the second round and will face Witton Albion and Kendal Town respectively.
Also among the local sides playing are Hyde United who entertain Northwich Victoria, Droylsden who take on Lancaster City and Bury Town, who will play Hemel Hempstead Town.
Image courtesy of Salford City Football Club via YouTube, with thanks.
