Slow second-half starters Salford City slipped to their first September league defeat as Walsall cruised to a 2-0 victory at the Peninsula stadium.
Nathan Lowe and Charlie Lakin scored in quick succession after the interval as the Saddlers underlined their early season promotion credentials with a convincing win on the road.
On the back of a four-match unbeaten run in League Two, Salford started brightly and dictated the game’s early tempo. At the heart of The Ammies attacking play, Tyrese Fornah dovetailed well with Josh Austerfield and looked to split the Walsall defence from deep.
However, Salford became self-indulgent in possession – playing in a way Karl Robinson would later describe as “Ambling, tippy-tappy kids’ football” – and Walsall grew into the game carrying a threat from set pieces.
Harry Williams’ glancing near-post header flashed wide of Jamie Jones’ far post before the Salford shot-stopper was required to field successive corners from under his crossbar, withstanding heavy pressure from imposing target man Jamille Matt.
The veteran goalkeeper was alive to tip over centre-back Taylor Allen’s fierce drive from the edge of the box as Walsall began to enjoy more possession in Salford territory before halftime.
Robinson’s men failed to heed the first-half warning signs and were left scorched by 15 minutes of scintillating Saddlers’ football, as the visitors turned up the heat after the break.
Moments after Jones denied Lakin from point-blank range with an expert reaction save, 19-year-old Lowe swept Connor Barrett’s cutback into the top corner to give Walsall a deserved lead on 51 minutes.
With Salford’s defence at sea, Jones expertly foiled Lowe from close range. But, once again, the reprieve was to be short lived as Lowe turned provider and teed up Lakin to cooly double Walsall’s advantage.
Looking to turn the tide and stem the flow of away pressure, Robinson turned to his bench. The Ammies regained a foothold in the game as the opposition grew content with their two-goal lead.
Walsall goalkeeper Tommy Simkin was on hand to deny Hakeeb Adelakun and Luke Garbutt as Salford rallied late, but the damage had already been done.
All over here at The Peninsula Stadium.
0-2 | #SALWAL pic.twitter.com/4tmffDsO9F
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) September 21, 2024
Following the match, Robinson scolded his sides’ second-half display, fuming over his players’ “stupidity” in possession. While he suggested that Salford assisted their opponents in winning the match, Walsall have made an excellent start to the season and currently sit 3rd in League Two.
Salford will find some solace in Liam Shephard’s first start of the season, the 29-year-old returned from an eight month injury lay-off to feature at right centre-back for 58 minutes.
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