Loan Watch: Galbraith hits winner

Monday 10 October 2022 12:38

There were highs and lows for the Manchester United loanees, with the games continuing to come thick and fast.

Ethan Galbraith scored his first goal of the season to earn Salford City a 1-0 away win at Northampton Town.

The Northern Ireland international's composed finish earned three valuable points to boost Neil Wood's side in their bid to get among the promotion slots in League Two.

It was the midfielder's second senior league strike of his career, after netting during a previous loan stint at Doncaster Rovers.

 

Wood and Galbraith spoke to Salford's official media channels after the game. "Ethan just needs to find his feet, first of all," explained our former Under-23s coach. "He's in a new squad, a new team, and he needs to get his match fitness, as he's come on the back of not playing so many games. His confidence is high as well. So I'm really pleased and that goal will do him the world of good.

"He's settled in really well and is training really well. You see today he's got a load of energy, does the job on the pitch and brings quality to our squad. It's a really pleasing day for him."

Galbraith added: "I was speaking to the lads about obviously chipping in with a few more goals. I played higher too and enjoyed it. It's always good to score a goal. I think it was a perfect day all round. I hadn't played for four to five weeks before I came in so I'm just working hard on getting my sharpness and stuff. Days like today make it all worthwhile. 

"I want to keep scoring. The fans are unbelievable, week in and week out, and it shows that it is like a family club. They are with us all the way."

Alvaro Fernandez continued his superb form with Preston North End, helping earn the Championship side an excellent 3-2 victory at Norwich City.

The wing-back set up Emil Riis's second goal, which edged the visitors ahead at 2-1, with a perfect cross, and the three points move the Lancashire outfit up to eighth spot in the table.

QPR are riding high in third place, level on points with Sheffield United and Norwich at the top, but Ethan Laird was withdrawn with a hamstring problem in Friday night's 2-1 triumph over Reading.

Manager Michael Beale did suggest there was an element of caution over the 26th-minute substitution for the right-back.

"He was close to me and said he was feeling a bit of tightness," Beale told West London Sport. "So obviously I'm not going to mess around with that. I don't think it's anything more than that, at the moment. He hasn't pulled anything. 

"We'll have to assess it, obviously, in the coming days, but, when he came off, he just said to me: 'Mick, it feels a bit tight'. Obviously, after the schedule we've had, it wasn't worth the risk."

Hannibal gets on the ball against Bristol City.

Hannibal made his first start for Birmingham City and helped the Midlanders beat Bristol City 3-0. The Tunisia international was lively before being replaced by Jobe Bellingham in the 76th minute, and it was his free-kick that led to Auston Trusty scoring the second goal, latching onto the rebound after his header hit a post. The midfielder did pick up a booking but it was an encouraging display and a fine win.

Amad was introduced for Sunderland in their 2-1 loss at Swansea City, forcing one good save out of Steven Benda, soon after entering the fray in the 76th minute.

Further afield, Alex Telles started Sevilla's 1-1 draw with Athletic Club in La Liga. The full-back was booked before former Red Ander Herrera was sent off late on for a foul on ex-Spurs man Erik Lamela. Eric Bailly was left on the bench as Marseille suffered a surprise 2-1 home reverse to Ajaccio in Ligue 1, their first defeat in the division this season.

Sparta Prague keeper Matej Kovar kept a clean sheet in a 4-0 victory at Brno, while Will Fish was an unused substitute in Hibernian's 1-0 win over Motherwell and Charlie Wellens did not get on in Oldham Athletic's 1-1 draw at Maidenhead United.

Dean Henderson will be in action for Nottingham Forest in Monday night's Premier League fixture with Aston Villa (20:00 BST kick-off).

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