Marcus Dackers’ third goal in two B Team games was cancelled out by a late equaliser from Joel Holvey, meaning Salford City B had to settle for a 1-1 draw against Rotherham Reserves in Group A of the Central League Cup.
It was a tough test for Danny Byrne’s side, with the visitors’ starting line-up boasting six players with EFL experience. But it was a challenge the young Ammies rose to, imposing themselves on the ball, keeping possession and creating opportunities throughout the match.
The opening chance of the afternoon fell to the visitors as Tom Eaves tried to beat Joel Torrance at the near post from a difficult angle, but the 31-year-old striker saw his shot fly into the side netting.
Salford’s first opportunity came to Djavan Pedro, who managed to get on the end of a Dackers flicked header and looked to be through on goal. He was brought down by Hamish Douglas, who was fortunate to escape with only a yellow card. Dackers’ subsequent free-kick took a deflection off the wall before skipping just wide of Dillon Phillips’ post.
The Ammies’ back line showed their defensive prowess throughout the first half, with Jacob Lara and Tosin Olopade battling aerially with experienced forwards Eaves and George Kelly. Ben Collins defended well up against Arvin Appiah, who is on loan at The Millers from La Liga side Almeria, while looking dangerous going the other way.
Torrance was called to action for the first time in the 34th minute, as Appiah cut in from the right wing and onto his left foot and curled an effort towards The Ammies ‘keeper.
Moments later Dackers came close at the other end; Humbles won possession in the middle of the park and played forward to Pedro whose touch sent Dackers through, but the 6’7 frontman saw his shot from the edge of the box bend just wide of the far post.
Dackers and Pedro combined again just minutes before half time, the latter was slipped through and had a good look at goal, but Phillips rushed out to close down the angle and made a good stop to deny an opening goal just before the break.
Torrance made the first save of the second half, using his reactions to keep out Eaves’ header at point-blank range. Rotherham substitute Josh Ayres would also have felt that he should have given his side the lead just after the hour mark, as he glanced an open header across goal and wide of the post.
Byrne’s team then grew into the second half and started to take control of the fixture again. Sandro Da Costa did brilliantly to bring down Torrance’s long ball forward and pass through to Dackers, but it was a difficult angle for the forward who saw his shot rise over the bar.
Ethan Smith came within inches of breaking the deadlock, using his quick feet to create space near the corner of the box and whip a shot towards the far post, Phillips was beaten, but the ball flew just wide.
Dackers continued to look dangerous, and finally got his reward in the 76th minute. Some brilliant build-up play led to Collins being sent away down the left flank by Smith, the young full-back sent a dangerous low cross to the back post, and the 20-year-old forward was there to finish beneath Phillips to give Salford the lead.
Both sides continued to look for a goal, Salford wanted a second and breathing room in the tie, and Rotherham chased an equaliser. It was a disciplined final 15 minutes for The Ammies, but in the final moments Holvey headed in an equaliser on the rebound, after Torrance palmed away Ben Hatton’s shot across goal, meaning both sides came away with a point in Group A of the Central League Cup.
Starting XI: Joel Torrance, Jordan Fankwe (Cucos 76’), Ben Collins, Tosin Olopade, Jacob Lara, Liam Humbles, Ethan Smith (McNair 86’), Jacob Hamman, Marcus Dackers, Sandro Da Costa, Djavan Pedro (C).
Substitues: James Carr, Matty Cucos, Kamoy McNair, Bruno Padcucni