Salford City took a clear step forward in the Oldham Athletic Vs Salford City Standings with a 4-1 derby win that moved them up to seventh and extended their unbeaten league run to five games. It was a result built on a fast start, a strong response after Oldham Athletic briefly pulled one back, and a finish that underlined the gap between the two sides on the day.
Luke Molyneux put Salford City ahead in the fifth minute, before Kelly N'Mai doubled the lead in the 19th minute. Oldham Athletic did respond quickly through Calum Kavanagh in the 21st minute, but that was as close as they came. Brendan Wiredu restored Salford City's two-goal cushion in the 57th minute, and Adebola Oluwo headed home from Luke Garbutt's free-kick in the 81st minute to complete the scoring.
A derby decided by control and momentum
For Salford City, this was the kind of performance that reflects a team moving in the right direction. The result did not just add three points; it also gave them a more convincing position in the standings after a run of five league games without defeat. The timing of the goals mattered too, because the early double put Oldham Athletic under pressure before they had settled into the match.
Oldham Athletic, by contrast, were left with a fourth straight league loss. Their reply through Calum Kavanagh briefly brought them back into the contest, but Salford City repeatedly found a way to reset the game in their favour. Once Brendan Wiredu scored shortly after the hour, the outcome felt increasingly secure.
The first-half stoppage added to a strange afternoon
There was also an unusual moment at the end of the opening half. Referee Isaac Searle signalled four added minutes, but then blew his whistle after three and brought the players back on. It was a curious interruption in a match that was already leaning firmly towards Salford City.
Even so, the story of the afternoon was the same once the game resumed: Salford City looked more decisive, more composed and more dangerous at key moments. As Cklamovski put it, it was “another step in the right direction”.
And in standings terms, it was exactly that. Salford City now sit seventh, while Oldham Athletic are left trying to stop a run that has become increasingly difficult to ignore.
