Town secure an away win to progress into the next round of the FA Cup.
Salford: Chris Neal, Scott Wiseman, Ibou Touray, Dennis Politic (Liam Hogan, 62), Nathan Pond, Car Piergianni, Danny Lloyd (Louis Maynard, 62), Danny Whitehead, Adam Rooney, Rory Gaffney, Tom Walker.
Subs: Max Crocombe, Liam Hogan, Brandon Lockett, James Hooper, Kamar Moncrieffe, Louis Maynard.
Town: Steve Arnold, Josh Emmanuel, Omar Beckles, Anthony Grant, Luke Waterfall, Mat Sadler, Josh Laurent, Greg Docherty (James Bolton, 89) Fejiri Okenabirhie, Aaron Amadi-Holloway (Lenell John-Lewis, 75), Ollie Norburn (Charlie Colkett, 78).
Subs: Joel Coleman, James Bolton, Lenell John-Lewis, Alex Gilliead, Abo Eisa, Charlie Colkett, Ryan Sears.
Referee: Sebastian Stockbridge
Assistants: Steven Rushton and Hristo Karaivanov
The FA Cup first-round replay came to an end with Town on the right end of a 3-1 score line.
Fejiri Okenenabirhie and Greg Docherty were the pair on hand to give Town the win, which saw Danny Coyne’s men progress into the next round.
Team News:
Danny Coyne named an unchanged team from the weekend to take on Salford City in the Emirates FA Cup first-round replay.
First Half:
The game opened up with both teams looking to be positive from the first whistle. The first 10 minutes saw both teams have chances in the opposition box but neither team capitalised.
In the 11th minute Town’s positive passing play earned Coyne’s men another chance. Fejiri Okenabirhie did well to find Ollie Norburn inside the opposition box, allowing the midfielder an effort at goal – but a good save saw the ball tipped around the post.
The best of the chances in the opening period were falling more Town’s way. A bursting run from Anthony Grant saw Okenabirhie in space to let off a shot. The forward let his shot go and a deflection nearly saw the ball loop into the net, but Chris Neal made a great reaction save to deny Town’s frontman.
Norburn was shown a yellow card in the 30th minute for a challenge on Danny Lloyd. The resulting free-kick didn’t cause Town any problems and went out for a goal kick.
Town broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute through Okenabirhie. Norburn floated in a cross, which Waterfall connected well with. The defender’s header bounced off the post and fell to Okenabirhie, which saw the forward fire home into the net – giving Town the one goal lead.
Josh Laurent came very close to doubling Town’s lead just before the half-time whistle. The midfielder let off a long-range effort, which rebounded off the post.
Town went into the break up on the score sheet after an impressive first-half. Town looked continually dangerous on the attack and created a plethora of chances, whilst still remaining solid at the back.
Second Half:
The second-half started just as the first-half ended. Town were the team in the ascendancy and were pushing forward up the pitch at any given chance. In the 53rd minute Omar Beckles attempted an overhead kick but saw the ball calmly collected by Ammies goalkeeper Chris Neal.
Carl Piergianni was given a yellow card in the 59th minute for a poor challenge on Okenabirhie.
Steve Arnold was called into action in 62nd minute, having to deal with a looping deflected shot from Tom Walker. The ball spun towards goal at pace but Town’s keeper did well to claim the ball and averted any danger.
Town finally capitalised on relentless pressure in the 63rd minute through Greg Docherty. Town’s number eight received a neat through ball from Josh Emmanuel and the midfielder lashed home the ball from a tight angle, giving Town a two-goal advantage.
The home side managed to pull a goal back in the 77th minute. Danny Whitehead floated in a cross from the right side and Adam Rooney jumped well to head the ball into the far side of the goal.
The Ammies were throwing everything they had at Town and the Shrews’ back line was subject to a barrage of long-balls. Waterfall was doing a good job in the air to clear the ball.
Town managed to end the tie in injury time with a late goal. Okenabirhie scored his second goal to put the result beyond doubt. Laurent took a shot in the box, which came off the keeper. Okenabirhie was in place to lash home the rebound into the bottom corner.
The game came to an end with Town 3-1 deserving victors.