Matt Smith’s improvised opener on the 17-minute mark ensures Salford City take a one-goal advantage into the second leg of the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.
Manchester United legends and co-owners Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt were in attendance, as well as ex-United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær. They were forced to watch a tense, hard-fought battle throughout as both teams look to edge closer to the third tier.
The hosts used the buoyant home faithful to good effect in the opening minutes and came close through Adrian Mariappa. Elliot Watt’s cross fell to the Jamaican centre-back at the back post but Ben Hinchliffe was out quickly to save.
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans had his effort expertly saved with 16 minutes played, before Ryan Croasdale rattled the crossbar on the follow-up. Stockport were made to rue their missed chance when Neil Wood’s side scored one minute later.
Watt again the supplier, Smith got the better of Fraser Horsfall and the ball went off of his shoulder and into the net. They had an opportunity to double their lead on the stroke of half-time when Luke Bolton went past a number of Stockport players, but the fancy footwork didn’t have the finish to match.
The second period was more of a cagey affair but the Ammies were still in the ascendancy. Callum Hendry’s driven strike was saved a couple of minutes after the interval. Salford had another chance to assert a two-goal cushion when Stevie Mallan sent through Conor McAleny but Hinchliffe saved his effort.
Despite the Hatters applying late pressure, they were unable to test Alex Cairns on many occasions. One chance did come with five minutes of normal time left, Akil Wright’s header nearly found its way into the box but a Salford player was on hand to block.
After the 1-0 win, Salford boss Neil Wood told Sky Sports that he was proud of the result.
“I thought we did very well. We were exceptional off-the-ball, especially in the second half, and we played with a real intensity and cohesion. We are not naïve enough to think that this is finished, it’s the halfway point in the tie, but for tonight we can be proud of the job that we did.”
Salford City: Cairns, Shephard, Vassell, Mariappa, Touray, Mallan, Watt, Bolton, Hendry (Lund 87′), McAleny (Barry 88′), Smith (Morton 88′)
Unused substitutes: Bellagambi, Jenkins, Leak, McLoughlin
Stockport County: Hinchliffe, Wright, Horsfall, Byrne, Knoyle, Camps, Croasdale (Olaofe 63′), Hippolyte (Rydel 63′), Hussey, Stretton (Rowe 82′), Lemonheigh-Evans
Unused substitutes: Jaros, Davenport, Johnson, Pye
Attendance: 3,923
Writer’s view
The game was a typical, play-off clash and as is the case with most of the play-off ties this weekend, the team that finished higher didn’t come out on top.
Billericay Town Media Assistant | Work for The Non-League Paper, VAVEL, Phoenix FM & others | Part of The Football Writers Association | BBC Young Reporter Winner 2023
