As September hit, the leaves fell and so did Salford City as they plummeted down the League Two table.
Following the play-off semi-final campaign last season, this would be the last place to expect the Ammies at the start of the 2023/24 season.
Autumn commenced with the Ammies travelling to Morecambe, looking to build on the penalty shootout triumph over Leeds United.
What followed was a toothless performance where Neil Wood’s side registered just two shots on target across the 90 minutes and fell to a 1-0 defeat after Micheal Mellon’s 25th minute strike, which the Ammies failed to respond to.
Following the tough defeat to the Shrimps, they had another difficult fixture against League One outfit Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy.
A game that Neil Wood’s side weren’t expected to win, but with the side conceding after just one minute can’t have been in the boss’ plans who fielded a changed XI.
Marcus Dackers and deadline day recruit Ethan Ingram impressed in the fixture, however the Ammies were hammered 3-0 by the Trotters.
With Wood’s attention back on the league there was a lot of hope at the reversing the consecutive defeats.
And the home fixture against Walsall was the one to change this, with both new signings Declan John and Ingram both featured in an excellent first half performance.
With a slender 1-0 lead, it looked like they were going to change the tides of their winless run.
However, the Ammies’ defensive frailties cost them with two cheap goals in the second half leaving Salford defeated for the third league game in a row.
The following Friday posed another tough test, with the injury list continuing to build, they met a Notts County side who sat at the top of League Two.
The gulf in league position showed as County cruised to a two-goal victory with McGoldrick and Crowley getting on the scoresheet for the visitors.
The game was a heated affair with both sides finding themselves down to 10 men.
With Kevin Berkoe seeing red for a second bookable offence for the Ammies as they slumped to four league defeats in a row.
Neil Wood admitted that his side had, “probably taken a backwards step,” after the Notts County result as pressure began to mount on his side, ahead of an away trip to Harrogate Town.
His sides worrying form continued in Yorkshire after fighting back from two goals down, only to concede a late winner from former Rochdale man Abraham Odoh with 10 minutes remaining.
Marking a horrid time for the Ammies sending them into five league defeats in a row, going without a win in September.
And Premier League opposition Burnley gave Salford no opportunity of a turnaround of recent form, professionally dispatching the Ammies 4-0 despite a promising start from the underdogs.
With Vincent Kompany fielding a strong team, the Burnley manager made sure that Salford’s best ever run in the Carabao Cup came to an end in the third round.
Looking at a winless month, the torrid run of form finally ended thanks to a Man of The Match performance from academy product, Kelly Nmai.
Who’s second half cross resulting in an own goal from Newport County’s Declan Drysdale, being enough to earn the Ammies their only win of September.
FT – GET. IN. 👊
The Ammies work hard to claim all three points 🙌
[2-1] #SALNPT || @salboyltd pic.twitter.com/X16MAjWw4C
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) September 30, 2023
Neil Wood will be hoping that this result and performance, partnered with returns to action by key players including Elliot Watt and Luke Bolton could spell a resurgence in what has thus far been a lacklustre start to the season.
With a trip to Sutton United who sit rock bottom next, supporters will be praying that this could be the turn in fortunes needed to steer Wood’s side in the right direction and finally travel up the table.
Salford City’s September by James McMinn
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