Salford City suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Wrexham in their opening fixture of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy in North Wales. Despite a spirited fightback and equalising early in the second half, the Ammies ultimately fell short, with Wrexham snatching a late winner through defender Will Boyle.
The game started with Salford City pushing hard against the home side, but it was Wrexham who opened the scoring in the 18th minute. Wrexham’s talisman, Paul Mullin, showed his quality with a stunning left-footed strike from outside the box, leaving Salford goalkeeper Matthew Young with no chance. The strike put the Red Dragons ahead and set the tone for a fiercely contested match.
Salford, however, refused to back down. The visitors grew into the game, with captain Matty Lund leading by example, testing Wrexham’s keeper Callum Burton with a well-struck effort just before half-time. Burton’s save kept Salford at bay, but it was a sign of what was to come.
After the break, Salford came out with renewed energy, looking to overturn the deficit. They were rewarded for their persistence in the 52nd minute when Hakeem Adelakun set up Conor McAleny to slot the ball past Burton, drawing the match level. McAleny’s composed finish marked a turning point in the game, as Salford began to assert themselves with greater confidence.
Wrexham responded immediately, threatening to retake the lead when former Ammies man Luke Bolton charged into the Salford box, but a stretching Mullin failed to connect cleanly with Bolton’s cross. This missed chance allowed Salford to keep the scores level, as they looked to capitalise on their growing momentum.
Salford manager Neil Wood made tactical adjustments throughout the second half, seeking to maintain the pressure on Wrexham. Salford’s defence, led by Theo Vassell and Richard Nartey, stood firm under waves of Wrexham attacks, while forward Ryan Watson created chances in the opposition half.
As the match wore on, it seemed destined for a penalty shootout, but Wrexham found a breakthrough in the 83rd minute. A corner from Seb Revan was met by Will Boyle, who rose above the Salford defenders to power a header into the back of the net. It was a sucker punch for the Ammies, who had fought valiantly throughout the game.
Salford continued to push for a second equaliser in the dying minutes, but Wrexham’s defence held strong, denying the Ammies any clear opportunities. The defeat will be frustrating for Salford, who showed resilience and attacking intent but ultimately couldn’t secure a result.
Writer’s View
For Salford, this loss will be a learning experience as they now turn their attention back to the league. Despite the disappointment, the team’s second-half performance, particularly their ability to press Wrexham and create chances, will offer encouragement to fans and players alike.
Next up, Salford will focus on regaining form in their League Two campaign, knowing that their efforts in North Wales were not without promise. The Ammies will look to bounce back from this setback with renewed determination in their upcoming fixtures.
Founder of The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
