Salford City’s new signing Connor McLennan hit a first half brace, before Preston North End battled back to level the score at 2-2.
Despite piling on the pressure in the latter stages of the game, Preston were unable to find the winning goal, taking the game to penalties. Where they would ultimately fall to a 4-2 loss from spot kicks, sending Salford City through to the next round of the EFL (Carabao) cup.
Salford City started the better of the two sides, with Connor McLennan taking only five minutes of the match to find his first Ammies goal since his move from SPFL side Aberdeen. With a cute, cushioned finish into the top right corner, leaving Preston keeper Dai Cornell with no chance.
Despite having slightly less of the ball in the first half, Salford City moved the ball well when they had possession and created some good chances as a result.
Salford City then added to their lead on 38 minutes when Connor McLennan capitalised on a costly Preston error, as he doubled his and Salford’s tally for the evening. Preston failed in their attempt to play out from the back. The Scott finished well finessing the ball into the bottom left corner.
Preston then halved the deficit with just a minute to go before half time, with former Liverpool starlet Ben Woodburn finishing into the bottom right after a couple of deflections kindly put the ball into his path.
Preston began the second half the better of the two sides after bringing three of their more experienced players on at the break including Andrew Hughes, Ryan Ledson and Ali McCann. They subsequently equalised on 50 minutes through their new American signing Duane Holmes, who capitalised on a mistake at the back from Salford.
Apart from a couple of good Salford chances, with the best falling to Matty Lund who missed a sitter from close range, Preston continued to relentlessly attack Salford in the latter stages of the game. They kept putting in cross after cross into the Salford penalty area. Salford absorbed the pressure extremely well though, with Alex Cairns producing some fine saves to keep Salford in the game. It earned his side a 2-2 draw which meant the game had to go to penalties to decide the winner.
Salford’s Penalties were top quality, with every player looking confident and finishing well. Penalty takers Matt Smith, Conor McAleny, Stevie Mallan and Luke Garbutt all stepped up and scored. Whilst Preston only managed to finish 2 out of their 4 penalties with Ryan Ledson and new signing Mads Frokjaer-Jenson unable to convert. Which resulted in Salford’s progression through to the next round of the EFL (Carabao) cup.
Attendance: 6,790 including 413 away supporters.
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