Football May 26, 2026

Grimsby Town 1-2 Salford City: Karl Robinson's side hit back to win first leg of League Two play-off semi-final

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Grimsby Town 1-2 Salford City: Karl Robinson's side hit back to win first leg of League Two play-off semi-final

Salford City hit back to win 2-1 at Grimsby in the first leg of their League Two play-off semi-final.

Reece Staunton scored a stunning opener after just 26 seconds for the Mariners, but Salford turned it around. Kallum Cesay levelled a few minutes later, while Adebola Oluwo nodded in a somewhat controversial winner just before the break.

It means Karl Robinson's Salford - who missed the chance to seal automatic promotion on final day - take the advantage into their home second leg at the Peninsula Stadium on Friday night.

It was an electric start as Grimsby took just 26 seconds to find the lead. a goal on just 26 seconds. A ball into the box was only half cleared to Staunton on the edge, and he lofted a superb volley into the top corner.

The advantage was short-lived. Three minutes later Salford were level as a long ball was worked into Cesay, who finished coolly into the bottom corner.

And they completed the turnaround before the break as Oluwo headed home from a corner. There was, however, an element of controversy about it as Grimsby goalkeeper Jackson Smith appeared to have his line of sight impeded by a Salford player in an offside position.

To say that Grimsby boss David Artell wasn't enamoured with the goal not being ruled out was an understatement.

"I'm not going to talk about the referee," he told Your Site. "I'll let others decide [if it shouldn't have stood]. We've all seen the second goal.

"If I tell you exactly what I think, I'll be at [an FA hearing at] Wembley tomorrow morning."

Your Site EFL Editor Simeon Gholam:

It is easy to forget that this has been Oluwo's first season in the EFL.

The 26-year-old centre-back has been on a nomadic adventure through non-league before being picked up by Salford City last summer, and was at University a few years ago, not even contemplating a professional career in football.

But he showed how worthy he is of being at this level, at the very least, with an imperious display.

He scored the crucial goal that put Salford ahead in the tie at the end of the first half, but at the back he was immense on the ground and in the air, barely giving Grimsby's forwards a kick.

Salford boss Karl Robinson on Your Site:

"I nearly clapped their goal, what a strike that was. But the way our players responded was brilliant because the atmosphere here was electric.

"To get the goals we did, and then to show great work in defence and in our structure. There was a level of control in our performance, and then in our celebrations.

"We respect Grimsby immensely and it was a difficult game."

Tags:

football report

Share this article

Related Posts

Champions League final predictions and best bets: Arsenal to go from nearly-men to double winners by beating PSG

Champions League final predictions and best bets: Arsenal to go from nearly-men to double winners by beating PSG

Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final and by ending their wait for the Premier League title, the Gunners have removed the fea...

Liverpool reach out to Jurgen Klopp with Andoni Iraola top target if Arne Slot sacked - Paper Talk

Liverpool reach out to Jurgen Klopp with Andoni Iraola top target if Arne Slot sacked - Paper Talk

The top stories and transfer rumours from Saturday's newspapers...Liverpool have sensationally reached out to Jurgen Klopp as they consider the future...

England World Cup squad: Thomas Tuchel defends his 'specialist' selections after Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire left out

England World Cup squad: Thomas Tuchel defends his 'specialist' selections after Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Harry Maguire left out

Thomas Tuchel has defended his England World Cup selection by insisting he has "specialists" in his squad ready to form a "brotherhood" to win the tou...

England World Cup squad announcement: Ruthless Thomas Tuchel leaves big names out of 26-man squad

England World Cup squad announcement: Ruthless Thomas Tuchel leaves big names out of 26-man squad

Ruthless Thomas Tuchel has left a number of high-profile names out of his England squad for the World Cup, while striker Ivan Toney has earned a shock...

Pep Guardiola to leave Man City: Spaniard announces departure after a decade of success at Premier League club

Pep Guardiola to leave Man City: Spaniard announces departure after a decade of success at Premier League club

Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City this summer after a trophy-laden decade in charge. "And what a time we have had together," said Guardiola in...

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal manager questioned whether he was good enough to deliver a major trophy - now he's a Premier League champion

Mikel Arteta: Arsenal manager questioned whether he was good enough to deliver a major trophy - now he's a Premier League champion

Mikel Arteta has admitted he questioned whether he was good enough to deliver a major trophy for Arsenal - claiming he was "vulnerable" before finally...