Salford City rue missed chances in opening day defeat

Salford City 1 - 3 Crewe Alexandra

Salford City began their League Two campaign with a home defeat against Crewe Alexandra, undone by a series of missed opportunities and a moment of misfortune.

Author | Alan White

Stadium | Peninsula Stadium

View from the stands

Crewe threatened early, with Josh March finding space in the box just three minutes in, only to head tamely into the arms of Matty Young. Moments later, Salford were handed a golden opportunity to take the lead when Ade Oluwo was wrestled to the ground at a corner. Ben Woodburn stepped up, but Tom Booth dived low to keep out the penalty.

The breakthrough came at the other end in unfortunate fashion. Cole Stockton’s attempted clearance ricocheted off Kadeem Harris and into the Salford net with just eight minutes played. Harris, making his debut, swiftly made amends. Cutting in from the left after a fine pass from Kallum Cesay, he beat Booth at the far post to draw the hosts level.

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Salford’s goalkeeper, Matty Young, was kept busy throughout and made a superb stop on the half hour to deny Cal Agius. Oluwo then came close to putting the Ammies in front, but his looping header drifted wide.

Crewe began to assert themselves before the break. Reece Hutchinson’s deep cross was met by Lewis Billington, whose effort was pushed away by Young. From the resulting corner, James Connolly’s header was cleared off the line.

Outside the stadium

Just before half time, March teed up Connor Thomas to restore Crewe’s lead, and the visitors quickly extended their advantage through Tommy O’Riley. His cross evaded everyone, including Young, and found the far corner to give Crewe a 3–1 cushion.

Karl Robinson introduced Jay Bird for Stockton at the interval, and Salford started the second half brightly. Garbutt’s in-swinging corner clipped the bar and moments later he tested Booth again with a fierce low shot that the Crewe keeper fumbled before gathering.

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Crewe nearly stretched their lead further when March was slipped in by Micky Demetriou, but Young produced another fine stop. O’Riley then rattled the bar with a free-kick, before Garbutt responded at the other end, forcing a strong save from Booth.

The last clear chance fell to Oluwo, who rose highest to meet Garbutt’s late free kick, but his header drifted wide. Salford pressed until the end but couldn’t claw their way back, leaving them empty-handed on opening day.