SALFORD City FC announced plans to build a new 5,100 capacity stadium this week so they will be hoping to continue the good feel factor around the club with a win against Boston United in the Vanarama National League North on Saturday (KO 15:00 GMT).
Admittedly, winning Saturday’s encounter is no foregone conclusion for Salford, as they go into the tie without a league win in five, and off the back of consecutive defeats to local rivals Stockport County.
After Salford took an early lead through Richie Wellens, County rallied to take a 2-1 win after goals from Gary Stopforth and Max Cartwright on debut.
On the other hand Boston will go into the clash hoping to put a dampener Salford’s big news, and they will be confident going into the match as they are unbeaten in five league games, despite playing out a 0-0 home draw with Worcester City last time out.
Despite being low on confidence after a string of indifferent results, Salford still find themselves above Boston in the league, sitting seventh, whereas Boston are seven points behind in 12th.
Salford’s last league win came all the way back in early September when they brushed aside Alfreton Town 4-1 after goals from Mike Phenix, Jordan Hulme, Simon Grand and Matthew Warbuton.
The Ammies will need some of these danger men to return to form if they are to come out on top come Saturday.
Former Barnsley frontman Phenix is currently the clubs top scorer with seven goals in 15, whilst Hulme has scored four times this campaign but he has also laid on four assists for his teammates.
Sam Walker and Richie Allen will also be hoping to cause some problems for the Boston defence from midfield; together this season they have a combined eight assists and scored four goals.
Marauding fullback Michael Nottingham has been an asset to the Ammies since signing from Solihull Moors in the summer and he has two goals and five assists from right-back to his name.
For the visitors the chief goal threats are striker Gregg Smith and winger Jay Rollins who have both found the net on four occasions this term.
Smith has been a revelation since arriving from Stamford AFC in the summer and he already has four MOTM awards to his name
Wily midfielder Luke Agnew has also been in fine form this season to score three times following his summer arrival from Premier League Sunderland.
The Pilgrims will unfortunately be without full-back Joe Burges though after he suffered a broken ankle in the club’s last game.
Boston boss Dennis Greene and his side will be attempting to end Salford’s unbeaten league record at home and to continue on their own good run of form which has seen them rise up the table after a disappointing start to the season.
While joint Salford managers Anthony Johnson and Bernard Morley will be aiming to turn their side’s fortunes around and get them playing the kind of football which saw them top Vanarama National League North earlier in the season.
Salford City’s new stadium will feature a new 600 capacity supporters club, and with that in mind the Ammies need to put on a good show for their loyal fans who have been starved of positive results in recent weeks.
By Matt Bullin
@matt_bullin01
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