Matt Butcher scored the only goal of the game with a terrific shot from just outside the box as Salford City battled to a hard-fought win over 10-man MK Dons.
Over 3000 fans came to the Peninsula today to watch what was a windy game of football. Opportunities blew both ways, but it was Matt Butcher who showed his quality, scoring what could be a vital goal for Salford City’s Playoff dreams.
The hosts began the game well, having most of the ball and the better chances in the opening 15 minutes.
The first real chance of the game was a Salford City one with a superb counterattack. Garbutt took a shot wide of the box, but a deflection nearly chipped it over the keeper. The resulting corner meant the teams were tussling the ball, but nothing came of it.
Another great chance for Salford just a few minutes later, one to get the fans chanting, Turton was able to get off a shot on the half Volley. MK Dons broke back quickly, though, with a shot being fired on the outside of the near post.
The game was starting to get bite in it with both teams getting involved in constant tussles for the ball.
MK Dons began to look more threatening, getting into the Ammies box, the best chance coming in the 28th minute with a shot fired right into the side netting. MK Dons began to rack up the corners but were unable to make anything happen with them.
Salford didn’t let them get into their groove, though. A great cross from Longeolo looked promising, but no one was able to get their head on it.
Both teams were getting plenty of chances in what was a back-to-back end to the first half. It was goalless going into the break.
Udoh found himself in space in the box for the first chance of the second half, but the ball just got under his feet and fell to the MK defenders.
Neither side showed real quality following Udoh’s missed opportunity, attacks barely making it past the halfway line before being cutoff. Longelo was able to mark out a good shot outside the box, but it whistled just past the far corner of the goal.
MK Dons very nearly broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, getting rebound after rebound in a scramble in the box. Salford City stood tall, though, clearing the most dangerous attack of the game.
It didn’t take long for MK Dons to threaten again, winning a free kick in a dangerous area, but they were unable to make anything of the chance.
Karl Robinson’s men began to get hostile with their tackles, imposing physical dominance on the visitors.
A very strong run of play from Salford followed, winning a corner following a great chance from Grant breaking into the box, the cross being parried away.
You just felt it was coming when an absolute rocket of a goal soared into the top right from the boot off Matt Butcher, scoring his fourth and best goal of the season. He did amazingly well to find himself in space and punish MK Dons. One of the best you’ll see to break the deadlock and put Salford City ahead.
MK Dons looked to gain some agency following the goal. Winning consecutive corners, but they lacked the quality to make anything happen.
The Ammies found themselves again in a strong position, controlling most of the ball, and were passing comfortably while in the lead.
Their control paid off after a great counterattack, but Jorge Grant just couldn’t finish a stellar move from the Ammies.
MK finally looked like they recovered from the goal after a strong run of possession in the final ten minutes, but after a skirmish on the halfway line, Luke Offord got himself sent off the pitch because of it for kicking a downed Borini. Salford City immediately made use of the man advantage with a chance from a shot inside the box, but it whistled wide.
Salford cruised to victory in the final minutes, looking in complete charge of the ball. Three important points secured for the Ammies.
