Match report

Salford City Upsets Swindon Town 3-2 in League Two Clash

Swindon Town
Swindon Town
2–3
FT
Salford City
Salford City
Jan 17, 2026

In a thrilling encounter at the County Ground, Salford City stunned Swindon Town with a spirited 3-2 victory in their League Two fixture. Despite going behind early to Joel McGregor's goal for Swindon, Oli Turton and Keanu N'Mai put Salford ahead before halftime. A late goal from Alex Drinan narrowed the deficit, but Salford held on through Keenan Cesay's crucial third.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Swindon Town 2-3 Salford City
  • • Goals for Salford City: Oli Turton (24'), Keanu N'Mai (31'), Keenan Cesay (72')
  • • Goal for Swindon Town: Joel McGregor (35'), Alex Drinan (77')
  • • Yellow Cards: J. Austerfield, Brandon Cooper, L. Garbutt, B. Woodburn (Salford City); J. Snowdon, W. Wright (Swindon Town)

Lineups

Swindon Town

Formation: 5-3-2

Starting XI

  • 1 C. Ripley (G)
  • 19 J. Snowdon (D)
  • 5 W. Wright (D)
  • 17 R. Tafazolli (D)
  • 16 T. Wilson-Brown (D)
  • 33 J. McGregor (D)
  • 18 G. Kilkenny (M)
  • 7 T. Nichols (M)
  • 44 D. Oldaker (M)
  • 23 A. Drinan (F)
  • 28 O. Palmer (F)

Substitutes

  • 12 L. Ward
  • 3 F. Mabete
  • 34 B. Kirkman
  • 6 J. Ball
  • 25 A. Borland
  • 24 F. Holman
  • 29 M. Olakigbe

Salford City

Formation: 3-1-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Young (G)
  • 6 O. Turton (D)
  • 15 B. Cooper (D)
  • 29 L. Garbutt (D)
  • 8 J. Grant (M)
  • 19 H. Mnoga (M)
  • 21 K. Cesay (M)
  • 17 J. Austerfield (M)
  • 10 K. N'Mai (M)
  • 26 R. Graydon (F)
  • 23 D. Udoh (F)

Substitutes

  • 33 M. Howard
  • 7 B. Woodburn
  • 9 C. Stockton
  • 16 F. Borini
  • 18 M. Butcher
  • 28 Z. Awe
  • 45 R. Longelo-Mbule

Timeline

  1. Salford City
    24' Salford City Goal · Normal Goal
    O. Turton · Assist: L. Garbutt
  2. Salford City
    31' Salford City Goal · Normal Goal
    K. N'Mai · Assist: R. Graydon
  3. Swindon Town
    35' Swindon Town Goal · Normal Goal
    Joel McGregor · Assist: W. Wright
  4. Salford City
    39' Salford City Card · Yellow Card
    J. Austerfield

    Foul

  5. Swindon Town
    56' Swindon Town Card · Yellow Card
    J. Snowdon

    Foul

  6. Swindon Town
    59' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Snowdon · On: M. Olakigbe
  7. Swindon Town
    64' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 2
    Off: T. Nichols · On: A. Borland
  8. Swindon Town
    64' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 3
    Off: O. Palmer · On: F. Holman
  9. Salford City
    65' Salford City Card · Yellow Card
    Brandon Cooper

    Foul

  10. Salford City
    66' Salford City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: J. Austerfield · On: B. Woodburn
  11. Salford City
    67' Salford City Card · Yellow Card
    L. Garbutt

    Foul

  12. Salford City
    72' Salford City Goal · Normal Goal
    K. Cesay · Assist: D. Udoh
  13. Salford City
    73' Salford City Card · Yellow Card
    B. Woodburn

    Foul

  14. Swindon Town
    74' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Tafazolli · On: F. Mabete
  15. Swindon Town
    74' Swindon Town subst · Substitution 5
    Off: T. Wilson-Brown · On: B. Kirkman
  16. Swindon Town
    77' Swindon Town Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Drinan · Assist: F. Holman
  17. Salford City
    83' Salford City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Jorge Grant · On: M. Butcher
  18. Salford City
    83' Salford City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: O. Turton · On: Z. Awe
  19. Swindon Town
    87' Swindon Town Card · Yellow Card
    W. Wright

    Foul

  20. Salford City
    90'+5 Salford City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: K. N'Mai · On: R. Longelo-Mbule

Match Stats

Stat Swindon Town Salford City
Fouls 12 16
Pass Accuracy 72% 62%
Offsides 2 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 14 9
Corners 6 4
Total Passes 451 291
Yellow Cards 2 4
Blocked Shots 3 0
Shots on Target 6 4
xG 2.56 1.55
Shots off Target 5 5
Possession 60% 40%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 325 181
Shots Inside Box 7 7
Saves 1 3
Shots Outside Box 7 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Oli Turton and Keanu N'Mai's quickfire goals in the first half gave Salford a two-goal lead before halftime.
  • ▸ Swindon Town's late surge, with Alex Drinan scoring to reduce the deficit, almost turned the tide but Keenan Cesay sealed the victory for Salford.