MATCH PREVIEW: SWINDON TOWN VS SALFORD CITY

Salford City head to Swindon Town this weekend hoping to follow up last weekend’s win with another three points.

The Ammies won on the opening day for the first time since 2019 thanks to a 2-0 victory against Mansfield Town, strikers Callum Hendry and Brandon Thomas-Asante both on the scoresheet early. 

Now Neil Wood’s side will be aiming for back-to-back wins at the start of a season for the first time since 2014.

Summer signing Elliot Watt enjoyed his first 90 minutes on the home side at The Peninsula Stadium, and says that the atmosphere has been good following last Saturday’s result.

He, said:

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“It was a tough game, the first 45 I thought we played very well, we obviously got the two goals which made a big difference. We probably didn’t get enough control in the second half as we would have liked but overall, Mansfield are a tough team and they’ll be up there this season, to get the three points and how we did it was pleasing.

“I’ve played at Salford now quite a few times and I’ve always found the atmosphere to be quite good to be fair, Mansfield brought a few fans so it made for a good day, especially when you get the three points so we’ll be looking to build on that this Saturday.

“The Gaffer said after the game, if he was going to be nit picking then he’d like to have had more control in the second half and we would have made it easier for ourselves by keeping the ball better. We can always get better so we’ll be looking to get more control and hopefully we’ll come away with the three points.”

 

In contrast, Saturday’s opponents Swindon were beaten 3-0 away at Harrogate Town in their first game of the campaign.

Assistant Manager Scott Lindsey has replaced the outbound Ben Garner, who guided The Robins to the play-off semi-finals last season before taking charge at Charlton Athletic, and he has had to bring in a number of new players too.

However despite last weekend’s result and the turnover of personnel at the County Ground, Watt agrees that Salford need to remain focused.

He, Said:

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“Similar to Mansfield they were in the play-offs last year. At Bradford they were tough games I remember, especially playing away at their place. They’ve changed Manager and they’ve had quite a big turnover of players, but I imagine that they’ll still play a similar style of play. 

“It’ll be a tough game as every game is in this league, but I’m sure we’ll go over how we can get the better of them and we’ll hopefully go there and nail the game plan.”

 

Goals from Liam Shephard and Ryan Watson cancelled out Harry McKirdy’s opener at The County Ground last season, as The Ammies won 2-1 and came from behind to win for the first time in the EFL.

TEAM NEWS

Midfielder Matthew Lund serves the last of a three-game ban handed to him at the end of last season.

Liam Shephard is out with an injury picked up last weekend.

HOW TO FOLLOW

There are no tickets available for away supporters on the day.

This game is not eligible for streaming in the UK, only supporters outside of the UK and Republic of Ireland can watch the game online (Match Pass – £10).

Live match commentary is available to anyone anywhere though, costing £2.50 for an Audio Pass.

Head to https://live.salfordcityfc.co.uk and see what passes are available in your location.