Salford celebrate as they advance in the FA Cup - Salford City

Salford City have advanced into the second round of the FA Cup this weekend, thanks to the help of a Matty Lund brace.

The magic of the FA Cup proved to be a strong as ever this Saturday, with Karl Robinson’s side beating League One rivals Shrewsbury Town.

The victory over the League One side, has now seen the Ammies go five games unbeaten continuing their already impressive form.

The Peninsula Stadium was filled with 2,374 fans, with both sides hoping to advance in the competition.

However, Shrewsbury’s hope were quickly diminished, with Salford’s midfield veteran Matty Lund opening the scoring within five minutes.

The ball was fired across the box by the inform Kelly N’Mai, with the ball ricocheting around the area.

The experienced professional was able to pickup the scraps of Kyrell Malcolm’s effort, that was blocked on the line, slotting the ball into the top corner.

The celebrations were in front of the travelling Shrewsbury fans, who weren’t happy to concede so early.

Matty Lund - via Salford City
Matty Lund warming up ahead of the game – Salford City

Despite scoring Salford continued to look strong, with Luke Garbutt’s free-kick effort being fired into the goalkeeper.

However, despite the Ammies seeming more in control of the fixture, their lead was short-lived.

Shrewsbury were able to make a smart move down the left hand side of the field, that led to the left-back Mal Benning lofting a ball into the area.

The looping cross was able to find the head of Shrewsbury’s Tommy O’Reilly, being nodded into the path of forward John Marquis.

With the scores level, it looked that it would be more beneficial to the away side with more cup history and expertise.

However, it wasn’t to be the case.

The experienced player-coach Matty Lund seemed to be the difference maker.

In the 42nd minute, Luke Garbutt was able to swoop in a corner that was met by the head of the Salford number eight.

The downwards header was being directed on goal, but took a much-needed deflection of a Shrewsbury defender to push it into the net.

The Ammies were leading once again, scoring a vital goal before the end of the first half.

However, this proved to be a vital goal with minutes later Shrewsbury’s number nine, George Lloyd was played one-on-one.

Fortunately for the Ammies the forward snatched at the effort – putting it into the hands of Matthew Young.

And as the second half developed, it seemed that both sides had half chances to win the game.

Kelly N’Mai was able to work the ball down the line, before firing a shot into the hands of the away goalkeeper.

Marshall Heys becomes the youngest player in the history of the FA Cup - Salford City
Marshall Heys becomes the youngest player in the history of the FA Cup – Salford City

And the away side were able to get the ball into the box, with the effort at goal being blazed over the stadium roof.

But the game didn’t finish without a little bit more history in the final moments, Marshall Heys was subbed on for Austerfield and became the youngest player to appear in the FA Cup for a professional side at the age of 15.

The final whistle sounded – and Salford have advanced into the second round where they will play Cheltenham Town on the weekend of Saturday 30th November.

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