Match report

Salford City Defeats Swindon Town 3-2 in FA Cup Thriller

Salford City
Salford City
3–2
FT
Swindon Town
Swindon Town
Jan 20, 2026

Salford City stunned Swindon Town to secure an impressive 3-2 victory in their FA Cup clash, thanks to a brace from forward R. Graydon and a crucial goal by L. Garbutt late in the game. The match was characterized by its high intensity with both teams pushing for the win.

Key Facts

  • • Salford City defeated Swindon Town 3-2.
  • • R. Graydon scored twice (11th and 52nd minutes) with assists from K. Berkoe and K. N'Mai respectively.
  • • L. Garbutt netted a vital goal for Salford in the 68th minute.
  • • Swindon Town managed to score through O. Palmer (55th minute) and J. Ball (60th minute).
  • • B. Kirkman and B. Woodburn received yellow cards.

Lineups

Salford City

Formation: 3-1-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Young (G)
  • 19 H. Mnoga (D)
  • 6 O. Turton (D)
  • 29 L. Garbutt (D)
  • 18 M. Butcher (M)
  • 45 R. Longelo-Mbule (M)
  • 7 B. Woodburn (M)
  • 17 J. Austerfield (M)
  • 3 K. Berkoe (M)
  • 26 R. Graydon (F)
  • 10 K. N'Mai (F)

Substitutes

  • 33 M. Howard
  • 8 J. Grant
  • 9 C. Stockton
  • 15 B. Cooper
  • 20 D. Chesters
  • 23 D. Udoh
  • 27 N. Siri
  • 30 K. Malcolm
  • 34 R. Butt

Swindon Town

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 C. Ripley (G)
  • 33 J. McGregor (D)
  • 3 F. Mabete (D)
  • 17 R. Tafazolli (D)
  • 34 B. Kirkman (D)
  • 18 G. Kilkenny (M)
  • 7 T. Nichols (M)
  • 23 A. Drinan (M)
  • 44 D. Oldaker (M)
  • 29 M. Olakigbe (M)
  • 28 O. Palmer (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 L. Ward
  • 5 W. Wright
  • 6 J. Ball
  • 11 J. Tabor
  • 16 T. Wilson-Brown
  • 19 J. Snowdon
  • 25 A. Borland
  • 37 D. Gonzalez

Timeline

  1. Salford City
    11' Salford City Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Graydon · Assist: K. Berkoe
  2. Swindon Town
    29' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 1
    Off: F. Mabete · On: W. Wright
  3. Swindon Town
    34' Swindon Town Card · Yellow Card
    B. Kirkman

    Time wasting

  4. Swindon Town
    46' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 2
    Off: B. Kirkman · On: J. Ball
  5. Swindon Town
    46' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 3
    Off: D. Oldaker · On: A. Borland
  6. Salford City
    52' Salford City Goal · Normal Goal
    R. Graydon · Assist: K. N'Mai
  7. Salford City
    55' Salford City Card · Yellow Card
    B. Woodburn

    Time wasting

  8. Swindon Town
    55' Swindon Town Goal · Normal Goal
    O. Palmer
  9. Swindon Town
    58' Swindon Town Card · Yellow Card
    Joel McGregor

    Foul

  10. Swindon Town
    60' Swindon Town Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Ball · Assist: M. Olakigbe
  11. Salford City
    61' Salford City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: B. Woodburn · On: Jorge Grant
  12. Salford City
    61' Salford City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: K. Berkoe · On: Brandon Cooper
  13. Salford City
    61' Salford City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Austerfield · On: D. Udoh
  14. Salford City
    68' Salford City Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Garbutt
  15. Swindon Town
    77' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Nichols · On: J. Tabor
  16. Swindon Town
    77' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Joel McGregor · On: J. Snowdon

Match Stats

Stat Salford City Swindon Town
Fouls 12 10
Pass Accuracy 54% 63%
Offsides 2 1
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 17
Corners 3 5
Total Passes 305 367
Yellow Cards 1 2
Blocked Shots 3 4
Shots on Target 5 4
xG — —
Shots off Target 4 9
Possession 45% 55%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 164 233
Shots Inside Box 7 7
Saves 2 2
Shots Outside Box 5 10

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ R. Graydon's early goal in the 11th minute set a strong foundation for Salford City, giving them an initial lead.
  • ▸ Salford City capitalized on Swindon Town's substitutions and defensive lapses to score their third goal by L. Garbutt in the 68th minute, which proved decisive.