SALFORD joint manager Anthony Johnson hailed his side’s team spirit following a second half fight back which saw them come from behind to beat Telford 2-1 at Moor Lane.
The Ammies bosses, Johnson and Bernard Morley made just one change from the side that beat Stalybridge Celtic 1-0 last time out, as Richie Allen came into the starting XI in place of Josh Hine.
This selection turned out to be an astute one as Allen scored Salford’s first goal of the afternoon to cancel out Lee Hughes’ opener for Telford which had given the visitors the lead at the break.
Salford’s Skipper Simon Grand, a former Telford player, nodded in two minutes later from George Green’s cross, to score what turned out to be the winner.
After a poor first half, Salford’s renewed efforts in the second half were enough to earn them all three points and Johnson spoke to Quays News after the match.
“We had a good chat at half time at 1-0 down – we weren’t doing much wrong – it was more do with the problems Telford was causing us with the long ball and the movement of Hughes,” he said.
“I thought Billy [Priestley] and [Simon] Grandy were absolutely superb in the second half – first half they were quite average but they held their hands up and realised they needed to be better.
“We made a couple of changes with the lads in the middle of the park – they sat a little bit deeper to help out and that seemed to work.
“I think every time a side comes from behind in football everyone talks about how they’ve got great team spirit – but we’ve got that – we genuinely do.
“What was really impressive was the way we controlled the game in the second half – something we bang on about is in-game management and today I thought we did it really well.”
AS IT STANDS | We remain 2nd in the league table after the 2-1 win over @TelfordUtd!
Well done lads ?? pic.twitter.com/BU24ZKjbiG
— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) February 25, 2017
The victory means Salford are now eight league games unbeaten at home, having won the last seven of them, conceding just once. Though Johnson admitted he couldn’t explain how his side have made Moor Lane such a fortress.
“I can’t put my finger on it – we’re an excellent attacking side without blowing our own trumpet too much – and we’re solid at the back as well.
“I think when we play at home – especially in the second half – we seem to dominate possession and play in the oppositions half a lot more.
“A lot of sides turn up here and see a bit of a building site and don’t fancy it – but for our lads it doesn’t make a difference no matter where we play we always set up to win home and away.”
Allen, who scored Salford’s opener with a superb strike from the edge of the box, was making his first league start in over a month and Johnson was keen to pay tribute to the wide man’s performance.
“He’s a brilliant footballer,” he said.
“It’s what he’s capable of and it’s what he’s about – we see it in every single training session and it’s what he’s done ever since he joined the club.
“Injuries have held him back a bit recently – but he’s bided his time while Josh Hine’s been playing well – and today he’s got his chance and he’s done well.”
Next up for the Ammies is a trip to Tamworth as Johnson and his side look to continue their promotion charge.
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