6.15pm 4 May 2022
Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League, Division A
Salford Storm 3 Kartel Sports 3 (att 10)
I don't normally drop to the fifth level of the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League, but this was an attractive fixture with both clubs having a chance of winning the title ahead of their penultimate game.
Kartel knew a win would make them champions. Any other result would take the title race to Saturday's final games. Salford had to win or their hopes would depend on scores elsewhere.
Add to that the fact that the reverse league meeting between the pair, just a few weeks ago, ended in acrimony, and the stage was set for a lively evening at Storm's Stott Lane ground.
By the end of a very entertaining 90 minutes, for the neutral, neither team got what they wanted. A stoppage time Salford Storm equaliser at least delayed Kartel's celebrations.
The visitors had looked the better side, and Salford's well-taken opener, mid-way through the first half, was against the run of play. The lead didn't last long, and Kartel were 2-1 up by the break.
Salford Storm got back level in the second half, before a well-worked late goal looked to have settled the game, and the league, in the visitors' favour. Then with moments remaining a third home goal meant it finished level.
While all that was happening North Walkden reserves were winning their final fixture, sending them top and leaving Kartel needing all three points from their final game to overhaul them. Salford Storm's title hopes are gone.
Salford Storm are based close to Hope Hospital, properly known as Salford Royal these days. There's changing rooms, car parking and a large playing field that also accommodates the club's many youth teams.
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