Salford City maintained their inconsistent start to the season as they were beaten 2-1 by Grimsby Town on a rainy Saturday afternoon despite being very dominant in the game.
The Ammies failed to convert many of their chances and did not concede too many chances either, but the visitors were clinical which led to them taking home all three points.
The game got off to the worst start imaginable for Karl Robinson’s men, as Ossama Ashley lost possession deep in his half, which allowed Grimsby to play a quick ball into Rose. The Grimsby captain laid it off for Luca Barrington, who took a touch to take him beyond the Salford defence before rifling a left-footed shot between the legs of Jamie Jones for the first goal of the match within a minute of kick-off.
Salford had a number of half-chances which included a shot from Conor McAleny being saved by Jackson Smith which was headed for the bottom right corner and Josh Austerfield fizzed a half-volley just wide of the post after the ball fell to him from a corner.
But, in the 15th minute, the Ammies found their equaliser through Cole Stockton. After a corner was swung in, ping-pong ensued in the box before the ball broke to Kelly N’Mai on the right-hand side; the 20-year-old’s perfect chipped cross was headed home from close range by the forward.
This equaliser blew the game wide open, as both sides went at each other with numerous chances – Stockton had a great chance to put Salford ahead after he was found in behind the Grimsby defence, however, the ball was bouncing and he half-volleyed it high and wide of the Grimsby goal.
The visitors also had their chances to go ahead. Denver Hume played a fabulous ball down the line from a free-kick which found Cameron Gardner just inside the left-hand side of the box, he could have shot or played it across goal but he scuffed his kick and it allowed the Ammies to clear with ease.
Grimsby stamped their authority on the match, finally taking one of their chances as they regained the lead just before half-time. Following good play in and around the home side’s box, the ball found Jason Dadi Svanthorsson just inside the area. The Iceland international played a simple pass to Luca Barrington, whose shot deflected into the back of the net for his second goal of the afternoon.
Salford came out of half-time swinging, as N’Mai darted beyond Lewis Cass before putting a ball into the box which was easily headed away by the Grimsby defence but only as far as Jon Taylor, who chested it and then struck the bouncing ball ferociously well forcing a good save out of Smith.
The Grimsby keeper was called into action again only a few minutes later as the ball bobbled into the path of Kouassi, the Ammies striker turned and struck the ball whilst sliding but Smith, who closed the angle well, made a fantastic point-blank save to prevent the ball going in his net.
Salford kept trying to find their equaliser as later in the half, N’Mai beat Cass down the left-hand side again before laying it off to Ossama Ashley as he entered the box, Ashley dummied his shot and then released a strike which deflected onto the post and out for a corner.
The Mariners did have a good chance to increase their advantage through Cameron McJannet, as he was found one-on-one with Jones by a brilliant lofted ball, he attempted to loft the ball over the Salford keeper but he saved rather easily.
There was a huge penalty shout in the 83rd minute, Kelly N’Mai nutmegged his man to dart into the box, as he went to go beyond the defender it appeared to look as if he were tripped but the referee was unmoved and waved play on, much to the anger of Robinson on the sideline.
Substitute Junior Luamba had a shot hit the post in the 88th minute, last week’s match-winner wrestled a Grimsby defender off of him before curling a superb shot with his left foot but he saw his shot smack off the post and N’Mai failed to follow it in.
Defeat this afternoon.
1-2 | #SALGRI pic.twitter.com/VExsWCKVi1
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 12, 2024
Unfortunately for Salford, that was the closest they would come for the rest of the game, as the visitors saw out the rest of the game rather well which led to Grimsby taking home all three points with a 2-1 win.
The loss for Salford means they fall to 16th in the table as they turn their attention towards a trip to Crewe Alexandra next week where they will be desperate for a win. Meanwhile, Grimsby see themselves rise to 8th in League Two, just outside the play-off positions, with a home match against Walsall up next for the Mariners.
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