FOOTBALL: Salford cruise to victory against Southend United

Salford City got back to winning ways and handed interm manager Paul Scholes his first victory, with a comfortable and commanding 3-0 victory over struggling Southend United at the Peninsula stadium.

Scholes sought to make 3 changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Port Vale on Saturday, with Brandon Thomas-Asante, Oscar Threlkeld and Tom Clarke starting for the Ammies in last night’s SkyBet League Two clash.

The first 20 minutes of the game saw both sides have decent possession spells with the ball without creating any clear cut chances at either end.

The first real chance and indeed goal came for the home side on the 25th minute as Southend’s Harry Lennon put the ball inadvertently into his own net from a Salford set piece.

A great Ibou Touray delivery from the right hand side made it difficult for the defender to clear as it bounced off his leg and rolled past Mark Oxley.

After the goal the away side looked to respond quickly and thought they should have a penalty on the 31st minute, only for appeals to be waved away by the referee.

As the second half began, the home side seemed to up the tempo in search for that second goal to effectively kill the game.

Thomas-Asante had two chances in quick succession in the 53rd and 54rd minute, one was foiled by a last ditch defensive block and the other a superb reaction save from Shrimpers keeper Mark Oxley.

Salford did indeed find the safety of a second goal, courtesy of a James Wilson strike on the 57th minute.

Some superb linkup play between Ash Hunter and Touray, saw the latter burst into the box and cut the ball back to Wilson who turned and shot into the bottom right – his 3rd goal in 3 at home.

The game was clinically put to bed by the Ammies on the 63rd minute,  thanks to frontman Ian Henderson.

A brilliant Hunter ball was expertly guided home by Henderson to finish the scoring.

Speaking after the game Scholes was full of praise for his team performance stating: “I’m very pleased I thought the lads worked very hard and it showed tonight.”

Fulltime: Salford City 3-0 Southend United