This weekend sees the first legs of the League Two playoffs semi-finals with Stockport travelling to nearby rivals Salford, whilst Carlisle host Bradford. With return fixtures taking place on Saturday 20th, and a play-off final at Wembley on Sunday 27th, the four teams in contention will be looking for a strong start from this weekend’s ties. With significant local interest given the proximity of the two clubs, seventh placed Salford City play fourth placed Stockport County at the Peninsula Stadium.
Over the two meetings this season, we’ve seen County take four points, and Salford just one, from the most recent tie at the end of March, with four points the difference between the two teams’ final league positions. On paper there’s very little to differentiate between Salford and Stockport in terms of form, and Salford have actually done better away from home this season, so will be looking forward to the second leg on the road at Edgeley Park. So to get some insider information we spoke to three fans about their highs and lows of the season, their expectations around playoffs, and their all-important score predictions…
In the red corner… Will Moorcroft, Salford City commentator, and in the blue corner… Phil Lloyd, Stockport County fan
TREFL: What has been your high, and low, of the season?
Will (Salford): “The best moment of the season for me was the injury time comeback win at AFC Wimbledon. We were far from our best, trailing 2-1 at 90 minutes and Cal Hendry had a penalty saved. But he made up with two injury time goals to win it 2-3! I saw us come from 4-0 down Kidderminster to draw 4-4, but that tops it… Low point, specifically we lost 1-4 at home to Carlisle after a bad October-November run due to injuries. Shame we’ve still not reached the FA Cup third round!”
Phil (Stockport): “My high has to be the recent last minute equaliser against Carlisle. It kept us in the automatic promotion hunt, and kept the pressure on Stevenage and Northampton. Low… Northampton scoring early against Tranmere last weekend. It killed off any hopes of automatic promotion that we had, and that was reflected in the atmosphere at the Hartlepool game.
TREFL: Does your final league position match your aspirations at the beginning of the season?
Will: “The ambition for the season is promotion and we’ve given ourselves a chance still. I think a best position finish, most points we’ve achieved, and most goals scored in League Two can still be considered a good season for us though even if we don’t end up promoted.”
Phil: “We were installed as favourites for the league over the summer, but I never paid that much attention. I just wanted us to be competitive. I would have liked automatic promotion, but am happy with a playoff place in our first season back in the league.”
TREFL: Why will you win the playoffs overall?
Will: “I think the Wembley pitch suits us and allows us to play our best game. We’ve been mega on the road this season, particularly at the stadia with nicer and larger pitches than ours so we can give the best account of ourselves. Hopefully we have the west end too, we’re two from two at the west side…”
Phil: “Strength of squad, and head-to-head form against the other playoff teams. We have not lost to any of them (Salford, Carlisle, and Bradford) this season and have taken four points off each.”
TREFL: Why should neutrals back you?
Will: “I think neutrals will enjoy how direct and fast we can be when we get the ball forward, and the intrinsic nature of our build-up play. The combination of Bolton-Hendry-Barry can be glorious to watch when they come together, and the technical excellence of Stevie Mallan, Elliot Watt and Liam Shephard. Cal Hendry scored a goal of the season contender at Edgeley Park in the league meeting and can add a touch of the sensational; he’s got his own goal of the season competition going!”
Phil: “We are a club on the way back up with an ambitious owner and manager. On top of that, we’re a team that plays attacking football. And then there’s our amazing fans… we have the second highest average away following in the league which is why so many are aggrieved at the allocation we have been given by Salford of 536. We could sell out their whole stadium.”
TREFL: What’s your score prediction?
Will: “I think the first leg will be tight, contained, and finish 1-1 or maybe 1-2, leaving it finely and all to play for in the second leg.”
Phil: “1-2 to the Hatters”
The neutral… Alex Pooley, Gillingham FC fan
TREFL: What’s been your experience / impressions of both teams across this season as a Gills fan?
Alex: “I’ll start with Salford. It’s possibly the weirdest ground I’ve been to – there’s a very odd atmosphere, and I’m sure anyone that has watched a game there will agree! But ultimately the most important thing about Salford is the scran; Babs’ burger is definitely the best in the league without a doubt. I’d actually say Salford looked a better side when they came to Priestfield than they did at home on Monday, but that could have something to do with how bad we were pre-Christmas. It’s almost like they didn’t look comfortable at home.
On to Stockport… they have really surprised me to be honest. Having lived in the area it’s clear to see how much the football team means to everyone there, but I didn’t really get a feel for just how much until I watched them against the Gills. Something really special is happening at County.”
TREFL: Which of the four teams in the playoffs would you like to see promoted? Why?
Alex: “I’d probably have to say Bradford, I look at them as a club and a team and feel they shouldn’t be down in League Two. Apart from Priestfield of course, Valley Parade is the only stadium that took my breath away on arrival.”
TREFL: Who do you think will be making the trip to Wembley?
Alex: “Stockport and Bradford. I think they are the teams that deserve to be there and I can’t see past the two of them battling it out”
TREFL: What’s your score prediction for Saturday night?
Alex: “Salford 1 – 2 Stockport”
Salford City v Stockport County – Saturday 13th May 2023, 7.45pm – Peninsula Stadium
Form:
Salford: LWWWL
Goals for: 11
Goals against: 8
Stockport: DDWWD
Goals for: 12
Goals against: 4
Previous Meetings:
22 October 2022
Salford 0 – 2 Stockport
Will Collar 45’+2, Paddy Madden 78’
31 March 2023
Stockport 1 – 1 Salford
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans 6’ – Callum Hendry 51’
