Salford beat Leeds in dramatic shootout

Penalty shootout drama at the Peninsula Stadium sees Salford City reach the second round of the EFL Cup for the first time ever, knocking out Championship opposition in Leeds United. 

LINEUPS

SAL XI: Cairns*; Shephard, Mariappa, Tilt, Garbutt; Bolton, Ashley, Watson, Mallan; Hendry, Smith

SAL SUBS: Wright, Berkoe, Oladape, Dackers, Vassell, Lund, McLennan, Bailey, McAleny

LEE XI: Darlow; Shackleton, Cresswell, Hjelde, Struijk; Gray, Ampadu*; Rutter, Gnonto, Summerville; Gelhardt

LEE SUBS: Meslier, Klaesson, Rodon, Drameh, Ayling, Bate, Gyabi, Sinisterra, Greenwood

Action: The game started with the Championship absolutely dominating their League Two opposition but Salford actually went very close early on when Luke Bolton crossed on the counter and Callum Hendry poked over the bar.

The rest of the half was simply one way traffic, though, with Willy Gnonto running riot down the left-hand side and setting up both Georginio Rutter and Joe Gelhardt with good opportunities, both being spooned high or wide.

Archie Gray then went close for the visitors as Rutter set him free through the middle and the youngster’s effort was well saved over the bar by captain Alex Cairns.

Then, out of nowhere really, a ball out wide to the left-hand side after a loose ball in the middle was then crossed in and Matt Smith headed into the bottom corner past a sprawling Karl Darlow to give Salford a shock lead.

They nearly doubled their lead via Ossama Ashley but the former Colchester man couldn’t keep his head down from a Luke Bolton corner kick. That was moments after Bolton had seemingly got in behind Leo Hjelde only for the Norwegian to make a last gasp tackle. 

The second-half became quite comical in truth with Leeds absolutely dominating the game. Willy Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter all had opportunities within the Ammies’ box but none of them could find a moment or slight bit of space to put themselves ahead.

Eventually Leeds did equalise when a Sam Greenwood free-kick was whipped low and eventually scrambled over the line by Pascal Struik. 

However, with 15 minutes of the 90 to go, Leeds couldn’t get over the line. Georginio Rutter began to wheel away in celebration when he thought he’d slotted into the bottom corner but had only had his shot saved by Cairns and then deep into second-half stoppage-time, Sam Greenwood whipped a free-kick onto the top of the cross-bar and Daniel Farke’s men had to be taken to penalties.

The shootout was decided nearly by another tame Georginio Rutter effort and another good save by Alex Cairns. However, Connor McLennan, with the chance to win 5-4, rattled the cross bar. It didn’t matter, though, as deep into sudden death Jamie Shackleton struck the woodwork with an unconvincing penalty, allowing Ossama Ashley to step up and give Salford a 9-8 shootout victory. Ashley stepped up, had his pen saved but Darlow stepped off his line and it had to be retaken – and it was scored.

SALFORD CITY ARE THROUGH TO THE THIRD ROUND OF THE CARABAO CUP FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER 🤩 pic.twitter.com/l0Ri9bD3EK

— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) August 29, 2023

The big picture: Salford City have reached the second round of the EFL Cup for the first time in their history whilst Leeds’ poor start to the season, despite their defeat of Ipswich at the weekend, continues. 

Man of the match: Alex Cairns. The former Fleetwood Town goalkeeper and Salford skipper on the evening was absolutely sensational and almost single-handedly prevented Leeds from going on to win the game in normal time. 

EVENTS

Kick-off

’34 | GOAL: Smith (1-0)

Half-time

’76 | GOAL: Struijk (1-1)

Full-time

Penalties (9-8)