Match Preview: Ammies look to hold onto slender lead in play-off semi-final away to local rivals

Salford City strive to hold onto their 1-0 lead over local rivals Stockport going into the second leg of the play-off semi-final this Saturday at 12:30pm.

The Ammies secured a professional 1-0 home victory last Saturday thanks to a bundling Matt Smith header and some determined defending to shut out the Hatters.

After the game goalkeeper Alex Cairns described the game as a “battling performance”.

The 30-year-old shot-stopper said: “We know what they’re like, a strong physical side good at getting balls in the box and I think we managed them well. I thought to a man we stood up and were counted, we know it’s only fifty percent done, no one in there is getting too carried away, but we deserved that win.”

However, as Cairns alluded to, the match is only half-way done.

Neil Wood’s men will have to brave the pressure cooker atmosphere of Stockport’s Edgeley Park if they are to make it to the play-off final at Wembley.

Even with a single goal lead, the numbers are not in Salford’s favour who in five attempts have never won at Edgeley Park.

Out of nine fixtures disputed between the two Greater Manchester clubs Salford have only won two, with Stockport winning four, while the remaining three matches ended in draws.

At least spectators will not be disappointed as this fixture delivers goals, with an average of 2.22 goals per game and not a single nil-nil draw played out between the sides.

Drama was not in short supply at the last meeting at Edgeley Park when Callum Hendry scored a spectacular volley hit on the swivel to equalise in the 51st minute and earn Salford a point.

Last time we visited Edgeley Park ⏪@Callum_Hendry did 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 💫 pic.twitter.com/fcDbKsoige

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) May 18, 2023

The Ammies will be looking towards their three-man strike force of Smith, Hendry, and McAleny who collectively have scored 34 goals this season.

Supported by midfield-maestro Elliot Watt who has a table topping 16 season assists, it will take a resolute defence to keep Neil Wood’s men out.

However, Stockport will equally be bringing their own fire power in the shape of Wooton, Collar and Madden who also have 34 goals this season between them.

McAleny summarised the season, saying: “It’s been a good season, obviously we’re in the semi-finals of the play-offs which means we’ve been doing something right. Personally, I obviously got off to a good start and then looked a bit shaky with the injury and then came back and worked hard, got some goals, got some games.

He added: “We’re in a good place. We’ve just got a couple of jobs to do and hopefully it can be the perfect season.”