“We’ve got three big games to go” – Neil Wood on win over Hartlepool

Salford manager Neil Wood was delighted with a professional 2-0 win over Hartlepool United as it was so important “to get the three points.”

The Ammies arrived at the game having to win to keep their playoff hopes alive, especially with Mansfield chasing behind.

And following the defeat to Colchester at the weekend, Neil Wood said: “It was important to bounce back with a win, and we need to keep tallying them up.”

Neil Wood’s side got into a healthy lead quite early, with goals from both Matt Smith and Louie Barry getting the goals.

The manager was happy to congratulate his side going into halftime 2-0 up: “I thought the two goals we scored were excellent goals.”

Neil Wood continued crediting his players for the second half’s “professional display.”

His side seemed more conservative with their performance in the second 45 minutes, saying: “It wasn’t the night to be thinking about playing ultimate football. Keeping it close, it was more important to get the three points than play well.”

The manager also recognised that it was the side’s first clean sheet in 14 games: “It was nice to get the clean sheet we have not had one for a while.”

With the Ammies only having three games left and a maximum of nine points left in the regular season.

Neil Wood admitted he was looking at the teams around his side: “You can’t not look at this stage. Things change every other game and things went for us tonight in the table”.

As teams around them Bradford, Carlisle, and Stockport dropped points last night.

He continued: “We have to take care of ourselves, whilst keeping an eye on what others are doing.”

Salford’s final three games include two away games to Walsall, 5th place Carlisle and the last home game against Gillingham.

When asked about the final three games, Neil denied there being any pressure on his players, saying: “There no different to any other games really

“Playing with pressure is playing to win.”

And with both Bradford and Mansfield having a game in hand over the Ammies, Neil Wood added: “We can only win our games and put ourselves in a good position.”