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MATCH REPORT: Salford squeeze into round two of the FA Cup as early goal is enough to see off Daggers

By on in Football, Salford City, Sport

Gary Bowyer. Photo credit: Salford City (Charlotte Tattersall) 

Salford City squeezed into the second round of the FA Cup following a hard fought 1-0 win at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Jordan Turnbull’s header just three minutes into the game proved to be enough for Gary Bowyer’s men who will host Chesterfield in round two.

At times this season the Ammies have been critiscesd for not being tough enough but this was not the case in East London as they had to withstand a confident Daggers side, and had to thank goalkeeper Connor Ripley for preserving the clean sheet.

Boss Gary Bowyer promised a strong line up in the week and made five changes from the young side that beat Leeds United under 23s last Tuesday. Crucially for the Ammies, top scorer and talisman Ian Henderson was passed fit for his first start since September.

Salford had their top scorer back but Dagenham didn’t have theirs. Their star-striker Paul McCallum was suspended which proved to be a further boost for City.

The few hardy travelling Salford fans, who made the near 450 mile round trip to East London, saw their team make the perfect start.

Ibou Touray, making his 200th appearance for the club, saw a long range effort deflected and the resulting corner saw Turnbull head the Ammies into the lead. His powerful header from Liam Shephard’s excellent delivery had too much power for Elliot Justham in the Daggers goal.

Match winner Jordan Turnbull
Image Credit: Salford City FC (Charlotte Tattersall)

Salford had the early goal, but failed to build on it. As the half went on Dagenham grew into the game and would have been disappointed to go into half time behind

Ripley was to prevent them doing so. He saved his side on 31 minutes when a defensive lapse saw Angelo Balanta through on goal but Ripley got down to save low to his left hand side when the striker was well placed.

Ripley then made an even better save six minutes later, saving fantastically from a Matt Robinson header from point blank range. He then made a crucial double save on the 40th minute from Miles Weston and then a long-range Robinson shot.

Thanks to Ripley, Salford survived the onslaught and made it to half time with their lead intact, despite Turnbull’s goal being the only moment of promise going forward for the Ammies.

City, in their black away kit, came out improved in the second half. They benefitted from a host of substitutions and stoppages which allowed them to stem the pressure from the first half.

The goal was not troubled until the 77th minute, when Ripley saved well from a Mauro Vilhete long-range effort as the Daggers started to commit men forward.

This played into Salford’s hands and they should have killed the game off through the returning Henderson, but he misjudged a ball over the top and the chance went begging.

This missed opportunity almost backfired on the Ammies, when Ripley was forced into making a superb save from a Callum Reynolds header from just a yard out to divert the ball onto the post.

The game was then paused for around five minutes when a Daggers fan required medical attention. Doctors and physios from both clubs rushed over to attend to the supporter who was taken off on a stretcher for further medical checks.

This understandably created a sombre mood for the final minutes of the match as Salford were able to see out a gritty performance to secure their place in the second round. The Ammies will now entertain Chesterfield, another National League side, on the first weekend of December.

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