Town Lack Firepower

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 15/03/2025

A POOR display at home led to the second Blundell Park defeat of a disappointing week. The Mariners followed up their midweek loss to Notts County with another home defeat, this time to Salford, thanks to a late goal without reply.

The Mariners mustered few chances in a game in which the visitors carved out the better openings on the difficult Blundell Park surface.

Tharme and McEachran were the only changes, replacing McJannet and Turi respectively.

Despite some attacking moves from both sides, neither goalkeeper faced serious threats. Rose narrowly missed a chance, firing into the side netting from Green's cross after the referee played an advantage. Salford started gaining momentum midway through the first half, earning several corners and free kicks, but Town’s defence dealt with the threats effectively. Salford's N’Mai required treatment after an injury but managed to continue, while Rose missed a key chance to convert after beating the offside trap. Both teams struggled to create clear opportunities.

The second half began with Mnoga winning a free kick for the visitors, from which Wright made an impressive save to deny Fornah’s rebound effort. Town responded with their own free kick, but Young’s punch and Salford’s defence neutralised the danger. Substitutions barely shifted the dial, with Burns and Barrington creating half chances for Town, but Salford’s counterattacks kept the game balanced.

As the game reached a conclusion, Salford’s Garbutt delivered a late corner that Lund flicked over Wright from the near post to score the decisive goal. Despite making further substitutions, the Mariners struggled to create clear opportunities in the closing stages. Salford’s solid defence saw out the game, securing a 1-0 victory and all three points.

Unfortunately, the lack of openings is putting intense pressure on the defence as any goals conceded tend to be decisive, with the attack drawing a blank in both Blundell Park games this week.

Town will hope that their third successive home game will see a change in fortune when they host Newport County at Blundell Park next Saturday. Fortunately, the Mariners are still very much in the play-off picture as many of the sides near the top are finding points hard to come by.

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