Dan Udoh shines for Salford City at Shrewsbury

Shrewsbury Town 1 - 3 Salford City

Dan Udoh struck twice against his former club as Salford City handed Karl Robinson a birthday victory with a 3-1 win at Shrewsbury Town.

Author | Liam C

Stadium | The Croud Meadow

A midfield battle

Udoh opened his Salford account midway through the first half, turning in after linking up with Kadeem Harris, before Sam Clucas pulled the hosts level early in the second period with a fierce finish. Ben Woodburn restored the Ammies’ lead 10 minutes from time with a precise free kick, and Udoh sealed the result deep into stoppage time with a composed strike.

Shrewsbury began the brighter of the two sides in autumnal conditions, John Marquis twice going close, while Bradley Ihionvien rattled the woodwork on the stroke of half-time. Clucas’s goal gave them renewed hope, but Salford responded strongly. 

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Young goalkeeper Matty Young was called on to save smartly from Ismeal Kabia, while at the other end Luke Garbutt and Matt Butcher both threatened before Woodburn’s set-piece swung the contest back the visitors’ way.

The Ammies’ late flourish ensured their manager could celebrate his birthday with three points, while Udoh enjoyed a dream return to the ground where he made his name in the EFL.

Away end reaction

Carl said: “It’s important to make sure that the players keep improving and they don’t ever relax and just accept that this is enough. I think what’s really exciting for the club is that there is so much more to come. We have improved so much since last season.”

Matty added: “It’s a really good win. We weren’t at our best at times and made it harder than it needed to be, but the sign of a decent side is finding a way to get the result even when you’re not playing well, and coming away with three points is huge. If we can keep teams quiet at the back, you always feel confident we’ll nick goals because we’ve got some really exciting players who can make things happen out of nothing. The key is just getting the ball to them as often as possible, and when they get chances, you know they’ll deliver."