Salford City battle to hard-fought win over Accrington Stanley

Salford City 2 - 1 Accrington Stanley

Ben Woodburn and Luke Garbutt struck in quick succession as Salford secured a hard-fought win over Accrington Stanley

Author | Michael Handsworth 

Stadium | The Penisula Stadium

After a quiet opening, the game came alive when Woodburn drove a low shot into the corner from the edge of the area to put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute. The Ammies soon doubled their lead, Garbutt bending a superb free-kick into the top corner.

Accrington almost responded immediately, Isaac Sinclair rattling the post with a fierce effort, before Salford missed chances to extend their lead. Woodburn hesitated when clean through and Jay Bird fired wide early in the second half.

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Garbutt thought he had added a third with a corner that went straight in, only for referee Matt Corlett to penalise a foul on goalkeeper Michael Kelly. Accrington were given a lifeline when substitute Tyler Walton converted a penalty to set up a tense finish, but Salford held firm to claim their first home victory of the campaign.

Best reaction 

Speaking to Salford City's media team after the match, Salford Karl Robinson said: “I want positivity. I want positive people. I want people with a strong mindset to see outside the box with how difficult it is to be a Salford fan. Be a Salford player. We have real big difficulties at times, and you know what? We embrace that.

“We want an atmosphere. I thought today for the first time I felt an atmosphere here. It was just something in the air where the fans really stayed with us when we weren’t good and I think that has sort of seen us over the line. So the fans’ positivity, the players are feeding off that.”

This was a view largely supported by Salford fan Ian Hughes who added: "It was a solid performance. Accrington Stanley can be a tricky side at the best of times and it's often difficult to get a win against them. We managed that and now, onward and upwards."