Salford have been knocked out of the EFL Trophy after local rivals Stockport County ran out 1-3 winners at Moor Lane.
The Ammies made eight changes from the side that had beaten Crewe Alexandra on Saturday, including a debut for former Oldham Athletic frontman Junior Luamba.
There was no return to the Peninsula for Louie Barry, Odin Bailey or Ibou Touray in Stockport County colours. The visitors rang the changes with ten new faces in the starting XI compared to those who started in their win over Doncaster Rovers on Saturday.
Only a win would do for Salford City, they came in to tonight as the only side yet to win a game. Another loss would see them exit the EFL Trophy in the group stages, a competition they won just three years ago.
The Ammies took an early lead on two minutes when a breakaway move saw new signing Junior Luamba race away down the right-hand side and cross to Marcus Dackers who coolly put the ball away for his first Salford City goal. 1-0 Salford.
.@MDackss‘ first-ever goal for The Ammies 🎯#SALSTO || @loveholidays pic.twitter.com/Vz04hcKWCg
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 10, 2023
It could have been two on five minutes when Dackers failed to connect with a Ben Collins cross. Kelly N’mai went close for the hosts shortly after as he flashed a shot across goal.
Salford had been dominant in the early proceedings but Millwall loanee Joe Wright was forced into a save in the Salford net when Paddy Madden’s close range header flew at him from close range.
Stockport County were awarded a penalty on 19 minutes when Josh Popoola had beaten Tosin Olopade for pace. The young fullback mistimed his sliding challenge leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
Joe Wright guessed the right way but just could not get down quick enough to get to Madden’s penalty.
The County Centre forward had an opportunity to put his side ahead just a minute later when he was played through 1v1 but failed to beat Wright in the Salford goal.
Djuvan Pedro had the opportunity to put Neil Wood’s side a goal to the good when the ball fell to him in the box but the young forward mistimed his shot and scuffed wide from close range.
Paddy Madden played an excellent cross in to Jayden Richardson who couldn’t keep his header down just over five minutes before the interval. County had begun to assert dominance in the game as the half had progressed but had not made any clear cut chances.
Salford’s Djuvan Pedro took on an audacious effort four minutes before the half, hitting a dipping half volley on the turn that had Stockport keeper, Jordan Smith, scurrying across his goal in front of his travelling Stockport fans.
What a moment for @MDackss 🤩 pic.twitter.com/LnYN6ujC6B
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 10, 2023
Neil Wood made just one change at the break with Sandro Da Costa coming on for in form Kelly N’Mai, with perhaps having one eye on his side’s trip to Wrexham at the weekend.
Stevie Mallan forced Jordan Smith in to a smart stop when his bending free-kick from 20-yards out travelled at pace towards the Stockport goal with five minutes played of the second half.
However the visitors went ahead on 51 minutes when Ashton Mee slipped Paddy Madden through on goal who finished past the onrushing Joe Wright for his second of the game. Salford were looking down the barrel of an early cup exit.
Salford failed to create any clear chances after going behind, Stockport looking to extend their advantage. Madden should have had a hattrick with 25 minutes to go when he stabbed a rebound over the bar from inside the box.
Just two minutes later and Madden did have his hattrick. The forward raced away from inside his own half to be played through 1v1 with Joe Wright and the Irishman made no mistake from close range.
Meanwhile Salford were still struggling to break down Stockport and lacked ideas on the ball when going forward with nothing to trouble Smith in the Stockport goal.
The full-time whistle blew, signalling the end of the Ammies chances in the EFL Trophy. Salford will be unable to catch both Bolton and Stockport County should they beat Manchester United Under 21’s in the final group game in November.
Despite their early lead the Ammies were unable to deal with Paddy Madden and struggled to create opportunities for themselves.
The focus for Neil Wood’s side now shifts to their away game at Hollywood owned Wrexham on Saturday where they will hope to continue their positive league form.
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