After a slow start, in the end it was a convincing victory for Salford City, as they defeated cross-borough rivals Oldham Athletic 2-0, thanks to goals from Matthew Lund and Brandon Thomas-Asante.
The away side got off to a flying start, however, the home team held on and ended the first half one goal up, after Lund’s header near to the end of the half.
Gary Bowyer’s men controlled the second-half, largely playing their football in Oldham’s half; testing the visitors’ defence with a multitude of crosses.
With just over ten minutes to go, Thomas-Asante doubled Salford’s lead.
Jordan Turnbull’s flicked on Donald Love’s long-throw, finding Thomas-Asante, who smashed his volley home.
By gaining three points here, the Ammies have catapulted up to 11th from 16th in the League Two table.
Salford are now only six points outside of the play-off places.
Lund’s Reaction
Speaking to Salford Now after the game, goalscorer Matthew Lund pinpointed the timing of the two Salford goals as being key factors in gaining victory over their rivals.
“I think we scored at the right times.
“We scored just before half time, and they just hit the crossbar and we went up and scored.”
Lund opening the scoring just before the break, showcasing excellent reactions to nod Josh Morris’ deflected free-kick into the far corner.
Before that though, Morris must’ve thought he’d scored himself.
Salford’s no.11 rifled one from range, only to be denied by the post, with Oldham no.1 Jason Leutwiler getting his outstretched fingertips in the way.
“Josh said it was some save”, Lund told Salford Now after the game.
It was almost a brace for the former Rochdale man himself, when, despite going to ground, he got his shot off, and saw it deflected narrowly wide of the near post.
Had the ball crept in, Leutwiler would’ve been helpless. The deflection completely wrong footed the Oldham goalkeeper, as the attempt at goal went agonisingly close for Lund and Salford.
Brandon Thomas-Asante then netted close to the end to kill the game off, with a sweetly struck volley across his body and into the far corner of the net.
Hear what else Lund had to say below.
Manager’s Thoughts
Ammies Manager Gary Bowyer agreed with his midfielder in his post-game comments
“It was a great time to score.
“Lundy, we know why we’ve brought him into the club.
“He has this fantastic ability to get in at the right time and score the goal.
“Just before halftime, it was a good platform for us for the second half.”
Saturday’s win could well be looked back on as a good platform for Salford City to kick on this season.
By securing the three points today, Salford leapfrogged up five places in the League Two table, and are now only six points outside of the play-off places.
Fan Feelings
One of Salford City’s owners, Class of ’92 member turned Sky Sports pundit, Gary Neville, shared his satisfaction with the win on Twitter.
Get in @SalfordCityFC 🙌
— Gary Neville (@GNev2) November 27, 2021
Jonty Williams replied, taking issue with Neville’s gloating, arguing that victory over Oldham is not something to be celebrated.
He wrote: “Thanks for celebrating the demise of Oldham Gary. You stood and watched your dad’s team Bury go under and now another one is slipping away but yes, Salford f*****g City. Great.”
Latics fans forced play to be stopped, as they protested against their ownership early in the second-half.
The vocal away end hurled flares onto the pitch and loudly sang a clear message, that they want owner Abdallah Lemsagam, out.
Elsewhere, Salford fan Deb, praised her team’s performance.
“Scrappy 1st half but both teams put great effort into the 2nd half. Entertaining and again we never gave up, relentless. Love you guys, well played and well done all.”
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