Match Preview | Salford City (H)

1 September 2023

Neil Wood’s Salford City make the trip to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on Saturday 2 September in Sky Bet League Two.

It was defeat for the Shrimps in our last outing at Harrogate Town by two goals to nil. Luke Armstrong’s first half penalty was added to by George Thomson, who struck an impressive free kick to round off the scoring for the home side.

The Ammies head into Saturday’s fixture in high spirits having defeated Championship side Leeds United on penalties in Round Two of the Carabao Cup during midweek. Premier League Burnley will visit the Peninsula Stadium in the next round.

In the four previous competitive meetings between the two sides, Morecambe have lost two, drawn one and won one, which came in dramatic fashion back in 2021 as two goals in second half added time courtesy of Carlos Mendes Gomes and Aaron Wildig respectively completed an unforgettable comeback.

The Opposition

Last season, Salford enjoyed a largely successful campaign, winning 22, drawing nine and losing 15, which saw them cement a place in the League Two play-offs. Despite taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg, Stockport County eventually progressed through to the final after a dramatic penalty shootout.

Looking at the early stages of this season, City sit 10^th, one place above the Shrimps in the table on goal difference having matched each other’s form – winning two, drawing one and losing two.

Manager wood was appointed in May 2022 following tenures within the Manchester United and Aston Villa academies. As a player, the 40-year-old represented the likes of Peterborough United, Oldham Athletic, Blackpool, Burnley and Coventry City, as well as spells abroad for FK Zeljeznicar Sarajevo and Royal Antwerp respectively.

Key Players

Joint top scorer Callum Hendry has netted three league goals so far this campaign in five League One appearances. Last season, his return across all competitions was 14 in 49. Son of former Blackburn Rovers man Colin, the 25-year-old enjoyed spells north of the border with Brechin City, Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and St. Johnstone before making the move to Greater Manchester.

Newly appointed club captain Alex Cairns kept a clean sheet in an opening day victory over Forest Green Rovers. An experienced man between the sticks, the 30-year-old played 240 times for Fleetwood Town, keeping 77 clean sheets in the process.

Summer arrival Luke Garbutt is another player who boasts a wealth of experience. The Harrogate-born defender has played across all of England’s top four tiers, including five Premier League appearances for Everton. The 30-year-old also represented England from U16 to U21 level, totalling 53 appearances and three goals for the young Three Lions.

Eli King's Pre-Match Thoughts

Cardiff City loanee Eli King says there's no reason why the Shrimps can't continue an impressive home record.

"It's a good game to play in," King said.

"They've got a bit of a repuation and they were up there last year, so they've got a strong team, we know that.

"It's a good challenge and I think we back ourselves at home - the games at home, I think we've played really well.

"Bradford [City] were a big, good team coming here last week and they got beat, so we can do the same I think."

Team News

Following his sending off at Harrogate, defender Farrend Rawson misses out through suspension.

JJ McKiernan, who was forced off through injury at the EnviroVent Stadium, is fit.

Meet The Officials

Will Finnie will be the man in the middle on Saturday afternoon. Simon Clayton, Jack Forder and Wayne Grunnill complete the officials’ line-up as linesmen and fourth official respectively.

Finnie has taken charge of seven games so far this campaign; three in League One, two in League Two and two in the Carabao Cup. In those games, he has issued a total of 25 yellow cards and one red.

The official last took charge of a Morecambe game last January, as the Shrimps swept aside Bristol Rovers by five goals to one.

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Match Reports

Report | Morecambe 1 Salford City 0

2 September 2023

Our unbeaten home run is extended after a convincing display and win over Salford City.

A piece of magic from Michael Mellon without reply was the difference at a sunny Mazuma Mobile Stadium.

The first proper sight on goal fell the way of the visitors on 12 minutes, with Conor McAleny’s strike from distance blocked by Jacob Bedeau at close range.

Seconds later, at the other end, Tom Bloxham struck from the edge of the box on the stretch, but he couldn’t keep the ball down.

McAleny once more went close for City on 17 minutes; his powerful strike was well kept out by Stuart Moore down to his right.

Just past the midway stage of the half, the Shrimps were ahead – Adam Mayor did excellently to work the ball to the touchline before crossing into the path of Mellon, he found the roof of the net with his first touch.

It was nearly a second in as many minutes as Bloxham fired at goal after finding space, but the ball whistled a whisker wide of Alex Cairns’ right-hand post.

Well in control, it was that man Mellon again who came close to extending the home side’s lead – after cleverly flicking the ball over a defender’s head, the Burnley loanee let strike only to see his effort sail wide.

Just before the break, City looked to work the ball into the Morecambe box where Ossama Ashley was waiting, but there was Moore to smother the danger.

Half-time: Morecambe 1 Salford City 0

A fast-paced start to the second 45 saw the Shrimps win two corners in quick succession, though the opposition defence managed to deal with the threat on both occasions.

At the other end, City man Matt Smith looked to prod the ball underneath Moore at close range, but the Morecambe stopper made himself big and diffused with the situation well.

Another brilliant Bedeau block Denied the visitors a shot on goal on 72 minutes as Curtis Tilt’s rocket looked to be on target.

Chances of note proved few and far between in the second half, though Moore was called into action on 85 minutes after a free kick was swung into the box, he commanded his box terrifically and punched the ball away to safety.

With two minutes of normal time left to play, substitute Jordan Slew was presented with a golden chance to wrap up proceedings, but his shot was straight at Cairns.

A moment of madness from Matthew Lund saw the substitute sent off in second half added time, as the Shrimps saw out another excellent win on home soil.

Full-time: Morecambe 1 Salford City 0

Morecambe: Moore, Love ©, Bedeau, Songo’o, Bloxham (Slew, 77’), King (Davenport, 77’), Mellon, McKiernan (Taylor, 77’), Mayor, Senior, Connolly.

Subs not used: A Smith, Tutonda, Stokes, C Smith.

Goals: Mellon (25’).

Bookings: None.

Red cards: None.

Salford City: Cairns ©, Ashley (Lund, 58’), Mariappa, Watson, Hendry, McLennan (Vassell, 58’), Tilt, Smith, McAleny (Dackers, 84’), Berkoe, Bolton.

Subs not used: Wright, Humbles, Henderson, Olopade.

Goals: None.

Bookings: None.

Red cards: Lund.

Attendance: 3,458 (312 away).