Match Preview: Salford City

16 September 2022

After a disappointing defeat in midweek, Tranmere travel to Salford in hope of getting back to winning ways.

A goal from Kane Hemmings wasn’t enough to earn Rovers a point after strikes in both halves from Andy Cook sealed a 2-1 win for Bradford City as Mark Hughes’ side left with all three points.

But looking ahead to the next one, Rovers will look to get their first win of the month at The Peninsula Stadium on Saturday.

Salford have made an impressive start to the season, losing just one of their opening eight games of the season and currently sit fourth in Sky Bet League Two. With an away win at Harrogate Town on Tuesday night, the Ammies will be hoping to continue their good form back on home soil.

Team News:

Kieron Morris is hopeful of making an appearance on the bench for the first team this season following his knee injury.

Paul Glatzel will require an operation after pulling his hamstring on Tuesday night.

Tom Davies, Kyle Jameson, Luke Robinson, Charlie Jolley and Joel Mumbongo all remain sidelined.

One to Watch: Callum Hendry

After Salford lost their main man Brandon Thomas-Asante who moved to West Bromwich Albion late in the window, Callum Hendry has stepped up at the top end of the pitch and has two goals to his name so far this campaign whilst starting every league game.

Hendry began his career at Blackburn Rovers where he graduated from the academy but never made a professional appearance for the Lancashire club as he moved North of the border to St Johnstone.

He spent five seasons with the Scottish side, allotting over 70 appearances whilst spending three seasons out on loan at Brechin City, Aberdeen and Kilmarnock respectively.

Still at the age of just 24, Hendry has still a lot of experience to gain and looks like he’ll get a real opportunity to settle and pick up some form at the Peninsula Stadium.

Manager: Neil Wood

After a very short playing career, it’s clear that Neil Wood would end up focussing on managerial jobs within football and it’s so far so good for the Salford Gaffer.

After coming through as a player at Manchester United, he never made a senior appearance for the Red Devils and was sent out on loan to numerous clubs throughout his career. Without ever truly settling with a club, Wood retired in 2010 and began coaching, originally observing sessions with Aston Villa.

In 2014, he returned to his hometown of Manchester and worked with the United academy from under 15’s to under 23’s and after years of impressing, he was appointed Under 23’s manager in 2019. During his time in charge of the U23’s, 17 players from the academy made their first team debuts for the clubs, highlighting the brilliant job Wood had done in terms of development.

In May 2022, he was appointed as Salford manager replacing Gary Bowyer and made Callum Hendry his first signing as he has got off to an impressive start with six wins and just two loses in his opening ten games as manager.

With Micky Mellon’s side next up, Wood will be hoping his side can continue their impressive start to the campaign as they currently sit two points adrift of second placed Stevenage.

Match Coverage:

Supporters can listen to full match commentary for as little as £1 per game by getting an audio season pass here.

You can follow the action through our social media channels below, with full text coverage during the fixture, followed by a match report.

Twitter: @tranmererovers

Facebook: @trfcofficial

Instagram: @tranmererovers

Match reaction from Micky Mellon and a player will follow on our website and YouTube channel.

Important information:

Food outlets in the away end will only be accepting cash with no cash machines available around the Peninsula Stadium.

Please note that the use of pyrotechnics is strictly forbidden and anyone caught in possession of one, will be ejected from the stadium.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Salford City 0-1 Tranmere Rovers

17 September 2022

Tranmere Rovers secured a vital three points on the road this Saturday afternoon after taking all three points away from Salford City at the Peninsula Stadium.

Josh Hawkes’ first half strike was enough to see off The Ammies in a keenly fought contest in Sky Bet League Two.

The opening exchanges were fairly cagey with both sides enjoying spells of possession on the ball without creating anything clear cut. The first chance for Rovers fell to Rhys Hughes who was fed by Kane Hemmings inside the box but his placed effort was blocked by Leak.

Tranmere fashioned another half chance in the 22nd minute. Dacres-Cogley created space on the right before fizzing a cross onto the head of Nevitt but his header went back to where it came from rather than on target.

With ten minutes until the interval, Tranmere found the breakthrough. Rhys Hughes slid a ball through to Dacres-Cogley on the right, his cross found its way to Josh Hawkes at the back post who cooly finished into the back of the net to give Rovers the advantage at the break.

Tranmere started the second half in the same manner that they finished the first. Rhys Hughes wasted no time in testing King in the Salford net, forcing him to tip over the bar with a half volley from the edge of the box.

The resulting corner forced King to make an incredible save. Dynel Simeu leapt to meet Ethan Bristow’s corner from the right and powered a downwards header but King somehow clawed it away with lightning reactions.

Simoes provided a direct threat for the hosts to keep the Tranmere defence on their toes by cutting inside and driving a powerful shot which Simeu blocked.

Salford were growing into the game and nearly had a golden chance to draw level. Touray got in behind at the back post before cutting back towards Simoes who couldn’t get his shot away ten yards from goal before O’Connor cleared.

The hosts brought on big centre forward Matt Smith and he almost provided an instant impact. A Salford corner ended in a goal mouth scramble which Smith turned onto the post from close range.

After weathering a brief Salford spell, Ethan Bristow charged down the left hand side and crossed onto the boot of a stretching Kane Hemmings who could only get enough on the cross to send it a yard wide of the post.

Hemmings threatened again moments later. He controlled on the edge of the box before sending a dipping shot over the head of King but onto the cross bar to the despair of the SWA behind the goal.

Some late Salford pressure and hopeful shots from distance were well dealt with by Rovers to secure a much needed three points and clean sheet on their travels.

Tranmere Team: Doohan, Dacres-Cogley, Turnbull, Simeu, Bristow, Hughes (Morris 73’), O’Connor, McAlear, Hawkes (Lewis 77’), Hemmings, Nevitt (Byrne 88’)