Salford City ‘frustrating’ as they fall short in the FA Cup as League 1 side Peterborough United won 3-0 at the Peninsular Stadium.
The Ammies started the match somewhat on the front foot with lots of possession in the first two thirds of the field, but a lack of any real penetration from the hosts meant chances were hard to come by.
The first meaningful attempt on goal came from Peterborough as Harrison Burrows cut inside and saw his wicked effort sale just over bar.
The Posh’s momentum continued to grow as the half progressed, with Salford making their own problems as a failed attempt to play out from the back forced Tom King into action with a fine save to deny Peterborough an opener.
The Ammies finally managed to work their way into the Peterborough United half as Matty Lund rose highest from Ibou Touray’s delivery, but misjudged his header in similar fashion to his late chance at the Weston Homes Stadium last week.
Posh soon grabbed back momentum, with Ephron Clarke-Harris showing great control to kill a diagonal ball, before tricking his way down the line and releasing a sublime cross that Hector Kyprianou couldn’t turn goalward from close range.
The Ammies continued to create their own problems as King came along way from home to meet Clarke-Harris who got their before the goalkeeper but failed to capitalise.
Salford’s limited attacking opportunities meant they had to show composure when they came, but it was the same old story as the ball ricochet to Lund in the box, but the Englishman scuffed the ball over with the goal at his mercy.
Lund’s missed chance proved to be costly as seconds later Posh broke the deadlock with Clarke-Harris.
The Posh’s number 10, who had been threatening all night, latched on to a delicious Poku threw ball and calmly placing the ball past the onrushing keeper in the 39th minute.
Salford’s attacking changes in the second half had an immediate effect on the game, with Odin Bailey causing all kinds of issues for Peterborough’s defence.
45′ – A change at the interval:
Bailey 🔁 Eastham
[0-1] 🦁🔴 pic.twitter.com/QINbZoiVub
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) November 16, 2022
The Ammies continued to build on a positive start to the second-half, Lucas Bergstrom could only stand and stare as the ball rolled past his post after a major deflection diverted a long range effort leading to a corner.
Theo Vassell was next to put the pressure on from the resulting corner, as he diverted the ball inches wide.
A skirmish in the box saw the ball fall perfectly for the Salford defender, but the equaliser continued to allude the hosts.
Callum Hendry hadn’t really had a sniff all afternoon, but his persistence almost payed off as a pressing interception sent the ball flying towards the Posh net.
Bergstrom was the coolest man in the stadium, as he flung out a leg to block the effort which flicked the ball up perfectly for the Fin to pluck out of the air.
Despite Salford City’s efforts, the League 1 side’s quality began to show with Jack Marriott forcing a corner which he took full advantage of by beating his man to glance beautifully into the top corner in the 78th minute to double Peterborough’s lead.
Marriott doubled his tally just five minutes later with the pick of the bunch of the evenings goals to make it 3-0.
The former Derby man dropped deep to receive the ball before driving towards the Salford City goal and unleashing a venomous long-range effort that beat King at his right hand post.
With the tie dead and buried, the Ammies continued to lack the creative in the final third with the introduction of target man Matt Smith not paying dividends.
FT – We exit the @EmiratesFACup.
[0-3] 🦁🔴 pic.twitter.com/mIZr2rRWOI
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) November 16, 2022
Manager Neil Wood believes Salford have to ‘stay confident’ despite retched run without a goal.
He continued: ‘we need to be more clinical, more ruthless because we are getting chances.
‘It’s really frustrating in the final third.’
Wood was quick to defend his forward players adding:
‘What I see on the training ground, the movement, the finishing, the way they’re clinical in training.
‘I wouldn’t say confidence is rock bottom.’
With no wins at home since August, Wood also looked ahead to the weekends home fixture against Carlisle.
‘Teams are happy to sit in against us here, if we get the first goal they’d be different games.
‘I’m sure we can put a performance in and get the three points on Saturday.’
The Ammies season will continue as usual into the weekend and beyond with the EFL opting for no break in action despite the 2022 Qatar World Cup starting this Sunday.
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