Salford End Winless League Run against 10 men in Greater Manchester Derby

Salford ended their winless run in League Two getting the only goal of the game in an end-to-end thriller at the Peninsula Stadium verses Oldham Athletic.

The first twelve minutes of the game was thrilling football with both sides trying to get an early lead, both sides getting half chances and shots away.

After the neck and neck first quarter of an hour the game finally gave Salford City a moment to cease, after being played through Kelly Nmai was tripped in the box by Manny Monthe, giving away a penalty and earning Monthe his third yellow card of the season in League Two.

Harris stepped up to take the penalty, the summer signing has already scored three goals and was hoping to get his hands on a fourth but failed to convert the penalty, being parried by Hudson.

Hope seemed lost when Daniel Udoh missed the follow up and the ball looked to be cleared, but only as far as the cross bar causing the ball to bounce back onto the head of Udoh to put it away, 1-0 to Salford in the 14^th minute.

A brief stoppage took place after this with pitch invaders going onto the grass forcing a break. The game continued after five minutes.

The game continued on its previous path, with both sides getting a fair amount of chances, including a low driven shot from Woodburn for Salford that landed at the feet of Mnoga to attempt another shot that is parried away. 

Luke Hannant was unfortunate to be subbed off in the thirty fifth minute after colliding with an advertisement board, Kieron Morris came on in his stead to continue the game.

Joe Quigley got the best chance for Oldham in the closing stages of the first half as he received the ball in the box, he swipes at it though and lacks the power or accuracy needed to beat Matty Young.

The last actions of the half were foals from Mnoga and Ashley earning them both yellow cards.

The first half ended 1-0 to the hosts after bundling the ball over the line after Harris’s missed effort.

Wigan loanee midfielder Kai Payne got the first chance of the second half, receiving the ball in the box after being set up by Quigley, only to put too much power on the shot and send it over the bar.

Nmai is tackled inside the penalty area by Caprice who but the referee awards the free kick the other way, this got a loud reaction from the Salford City fans, Nmai then fouled Caprice clearly allowing tempers to flare.

Oldham fans were devastated to see Will Sutton get a straight red in the sixty fourth minute. The discipline was given after he tripped up Nmai outside the box as the forward is through on goal.

The following freekick is deflected off the wall, the ball falls to Harris at the edge of the box but the shot goes wide.

Oldham had a half chance to score in the sixty ninth minute, but Mellon shins it and the shot fell gracefully to the keeper. Mellon was then taken off along with Kai Payne as Oldham brought on Joe Garner and Kane Drummond.

Harris got another sizzling chance from the edge of the box on the turn of the 80^th minute but the ball takes a deflection for a corner.

That corner was almost a goal for Salford as Oluwo headed towards goal, but Hudson pulled off a miraculous save to deny the defender.

New man Fabio Borini was brought on for the final ten minutes for Salford, the forward has previously played for Sunderland, AC Milan and Liverpool.

The ball fell to Joe Garner just a few yards away from goal after a rebound but the former Rangers striker failed to capitalise hitting it over the crossbar, a final chance for Oldam in the ninety first minute.

Salford failed to capitalise on opportunities in the final few minutes seemingly content to play out the rest of the game.

After a few more stoppages the referee blew the whistle on this Derby ending Salford’s losing streak, at full time Salford 1-0.