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Salford away preview

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Salford away preview

Postby Sweden Stag » Thu Apr 22, 2021 7:25 pm

Following the 3-0 rout of Scunthorpe last Tuesday night, the Stags now travel to a completely new ground. For reasons why, see below. And the opponents in concern have we only played twice before in preview history, both times at One Call. The tale is of Salford, who were the last side not to be beaten at home until Bolton Wanderers did the trick last weekend.

Last season, the home fixture against Salford City highlighted the Stags’ problems against newly-promoted sides as Salford out of four shots on target scored twice and won to a 2-1 scoreline at One Call. But this was also due to poor defending against a then new side to preview in their EFL debut season in which they were in tenth position when play was halted. The halting of last season also meant that the away game at Salford neither was played nor even previewed, as that fixture became the first one not to be previewed at all as well as the game at Salford was normally due to be played on March 17, 2020, three days efter the cancelled fixture against Crewe Alexandra at One Call.

Last season, Salford just like the Stags fared better on the road than at headquarters. Five Salford wins at home was bettered into eight on their travels. But this season, Salford are the League Two home-draw specialists with eleven stalemates, compared to ten for the Stags. And Salford have conceded just fifteen home goals, less than any other League Two side.

Earlier this season, the Stags won 2-1 at headquarters, but the scoreline was more clearcut, and revenge for last season’s home defeat.

Just a few seasons ago, Salford City played in the Northern Premier League, finishing third there as late as in the 2015-16 season, eventually winning the playoff final against Workington after winning the NPL Division One North the previous campaign.

Well in their first Conf North campaign in 2016-17 (after having kayoed Notts County and earned a replay against Hartlepool in the FA cup in 2015-16), Salford finished fourth but lost the playoff semifinal to FC Halifax Town. In the 2017-18 campaign, Salford were crowned Conf North Champions six points ahead of Harrogate Town. In that campaign, Salford faced ex-league clubs like Boston, Kidderminster, York City, Darlington, Southport and Stockport. Bradford PA might have been added, but the current Bradford PA club is a successor to the one who were voted out in favour of Cambridge United way back in 1970 and that Bradford club did only face the Stags on nine occasions in League history.

In the National League, Salford finished in third position after winning nine out of their final twelve fixtures. And in the playoffs, they first beat Eastleigh on penalties, the went on to beat AFC Fylde to a 3-0 scoreline in the final to became the first side to go from National League North to League Two in consecutive seasons. Incredibly enough, Salford’s first-ever National League fixture was against Leyton Orient, a 1-1 home draw. But that was not the first time the promoted sides to be met on the opening day as the Stags faced Newport at home on the opening day of the 2012-13 seasons.

Even in the last few seasons, three players with previous Stags experience have played for Salford. The first one was Simon Grand, who played a handful Stags fixtures around 2010, then represented Salford in 2016-17. Grand played for Chester in Conf North this season before play was halted.

The second Salford connection needs no introduction. The tale is of Matt Green, who shot the Stags back into the EFL in 2013 by virtue of loads of goals, most notably the injury-time winner at Hereford and the penalty against Wrexham which sealed the return. Add to that, goal against Liverpool in the FA Cup in January 2013 as well. After being released by Lincoln City, Green played 21 games for Salford, six of those as sub, and netted four times.

The third connection played for Salford 25 times in their inaugural EFL campaign and has this season come on as sub on thirteen occasions, the latest in the goal-less away draw at Tranmere last weekend. The tale is of Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. After his loan spell at the Stags late on in the 2015-16 campaign, Dieseruvwe also played for Boston and Kidderminster.

Elsewhere this weekend, the top game will take place at Morecambe, who entertain Bolton. A crunch game for promotion and playoffs. At the other end, Southend must win all their remaining games and Barrow lose all theirs to escape the trap door, while Grimsby must win all theirs as well. Only Southend play at home, facing Leyton Orient, while Barrow play Tranmere away and Grimsby face Oldham at their place.

Expect a tight game on Saturday. Come on Mansfield!
Stockholm, July 4, 2008, 15.00 GMT. Good news came, K.H. gone. March 1, 2012. Ground purchased.
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