Salford City beat youthful Wigan side

Wigan Athletic 0 - 2 Salford City 

A youthful Wigan side fell to a 2-0 defeat against Salford City in their opening Vertu Trophy fixture on Tuesday night, despite putting up a promising fight.

Author | Amy W

Stadium | The Brick Community Stadium 

View from the stands

Second-half goals from Ollie Turton and Cole Stockton sealed victory for Salford against a youthful Wigan side, while several Ammies players were able to build valuable minutes on the pitch.

A closer look at what happened

It was a slow start at the Brick Community Stadium as the League One Latics settled into their rhythm against a Salford team featuring a number of new faces. The first real opening came on 17 minutes, and it was self-inflicted for Wigan. A loose back pass fell to Nicolás Siri, who turned sharply and drove at goal before seeing his shot pushed away by Tom Watson.

The Ammies’ high press was troubling Wigan, and within minutes another stray ball from Watson handed possession to Ben Woodburn. He released Siri, who in turn found Kyrell Malcolm on the right, but his angled effort was blocked by Steven Sessegnon. Wigan responded through Asamoah Jr, whose curling strike forced Mark Howard into a strong save before Christy Edwards was denied moments later. Edwards should have made more of a chance on 33 minutes, but from close range he fired into the turf and watched the ball loop over to the jeers of the away support.

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Salford almost punished that miss immediately, Woodburn combining with Malcolm before rattling the underside of the bar from the edge of the area, with Josh Austerfield heading the rebound over. The visitors finished the half strongly, Malcolm again testing Watson while Siri and Austerfield both went close before the break.

The breakthrough came shortly after the restart. Malcolm was fouled on the left and from Woodburn’s free-kick Cooper nodded the ball across goal for Turton, who stretched to guide his header past Watson. Salford had chances to add to their lead, with Jay Bird firing wide, but it was not until the closing stages that the win was secured.

Wigan nearly levelled through Reece Greenhalgh, whose header was clawed away by Howard. Salford countered swiftly, Malcolm releasing Luke Garbutt, whose cross was flicked on by Bird for Stockton to nod home at the far post and register his first goal of the season.