Salford ease to victory at sorry Sutton

Posted Wednesday, October 04, 2023 by PA

Salford recorded a second consecutive victory with two second-half goals in a 2-0 win to leave Sutton rooted to the foot of the League Two table.

Goals from Matt Smith and Kelly N’Mai did the damage as the visitors made it back-to-back successes after ending a five-match losing run.

Neither side could gain the upper hand in the first half although it was the visitors who had the better chances as N’Mai’s cross was volleyed over by Matty Lund.

Smith was just off target from a fine Ethan Ingram cross and Luke Bolton’s effort came back off a post.

For Sutton – without a league win since the opening game of the campaign – Hisham Kasimu’s close-range header was saved by goalkeeper Alex Cairns just before half-time.

Salford struck the first blow in the 54th minute when Smith headed in at the far post from a corner flicked on by Adrian Mariappa.

And nine minutes later N’Mai added a second, hammering in at the far post after his low cross had been returned by Smith.

Sutton looked in vain for a response, Aiden O’Brien stabbing just wide from Josh Coley’s cross and Cairns denying Coley, while Salford might have widened the margin of victory but Smith shot just wide.