After a disappointing September, Salford City found themselves lost and just above the League two relegation places.
As the clocks went back in October, The Ammies managed to turn back time themselves and replicate their form from last season which saw them reach the playoffs.
A trip down south to struggling Sutton United commenced City’s October. A stellar performance from youngster Kelly N’Mai saw him scoring his first Ammies goal with a well taken finish into the roof of the net to double Neil Wood’s side’s lead and earn an important three points, making it two wins in a row for the first time this campaign.
Next was a visit from promotion-chasing Crewe Alexandra who travelled to the Peninsula on the back of an impressive five game unbeaten streak, including a thrilling 3-3 draw away at Wrexham.
After falling behind in the first half an hour, fans were fearing the worst but an inspired brace, one goal either side of the interval from Matt Smith and then a further two from Ryan Watson and youngster Kevin Berkoe meant the Ammies faithful went home happy after being treated to a convincing 4-2 victory.
“We’re pleased with three wins on the bounce” 🗣️
Neil Wood’s #SALCAX reaction ⤵️
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 7, 2023
However, midweek brought a grey cloud over the Peninsula as Stockport County ended Salford’s three match winning streak and all but knocked them out of the EFL trophy with an early Marcus Dackers goal being cancelled out by a hattrick from County’s marksman, Paddy Madden.
A trip away to Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham offered an opportunity for The Ammies to bounce back against one of the top scoring teams in the division.
It started brilliantly with another brace from Matt Smith leaving Salford City 2-0 up after just 36 minutes. Smith’s continued red-hot goal scoring form had his side on the brink of a hugely important away victory, entering the final five minutes of the 90 with a 2-1 lead.
Then in two minutes of pure chaos, three points turned to zero with two goals from Wrexham in two minutes from Jordan Davies and veteran striker, Steven Fletcher.
It was out the frying pan and into the fire as the league’s second top scorers, Swindon Town, arrived at the Peninsula. But again, this time courtesy of defender Ethan Ingram’s first professional goal, Salford found themselves in the lead until two goals, one being a penalty in the 85th minute from yet another veteran striker, Charlie Austin. The strike from the spot left the Ammies in need of their own late heroics this time out.
If last season taught League Two followers anything, it’s that The Ammies do love a late goal, and they don’t come much later than this. Youngster Liam Humbles smashed home into the roof of the net from a tight angle in the seventh minute of stoppage time to rescue an important point.
Finally, on the 24th of October, Salford returned to winning ways and yet again Matt Smith found himself on the scoresheet, not once, not twice, but three times.
A hattrick propelling him to the top of League’s most prolific with his 10th, 11th and 12th League goals of the season dispatched Doncaster Rovers with little stress in what was billed to be a difficult away game against a similarly placed team.
The hat-trick hero 🎩@mattjpsmith takes the match ball and the Player of the Match award, powered by @TheTurmericCo 🏆#DNRSAL || @TheTurmericCo pic.twitter.com/rLmXuIuWPm
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 24, 2023
Their final League outing of the month saw Neil Wood’s side travel further up North to the Lake District to face Barrow who sit just a singular point above them in the League. A cagey 0-0 draw ensued with the Cumbrians coming away the happier side with a game in hand and point advantage over Salford.
FT – No breakthrough for The Ammies.
[0-0] #BRWSAL || @salboyltd pic.twitter.com/xYPniGrx5I
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) October 28, 2023
Overall, after a ropey September hampered by injuries and poor results, it was paramount that Salford City found a way to win again, and with only the singular league defeat away at Wrexham, it’s fair to say they achieved this.
With more players expected back in the coming weeks, November could be the month the Ammies really climb the table and begin to threaten the play off places they covet.
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