“It’s going to be a battle”: Salford City midfielder Stevie Mallan previews playoff clash with Stockport County

Salford midfielder Stevie Mallan has akcnowledged the side’s upcoming League Two playoff clash with Stockport County will be a challenge.

The Ammies face Stockport at home on Saturday as they look to gain promotion to League One in their EFL playoff berth. The Scotsman said: “The last time we played Stockport it was a difficult game away from home, we drew one each, but playing any team in the playoffs is going to be difficult.

“The first leg is at home so we need to see if we can take advantage of that and take a positive result into the away leg. Stockport have been very good at home, but also our away form has been good. It’s going to be a battle, every team that gets into the playoffs has played very well to get there”.

The matchup is of course a local rivalry, with Stockport playing on the opposite side of Manchester to The Peninsula Stadium. Mallan said: “It’s a local derby so everyone wants to get one up on each other, that’s just how it goes in football, all over the country. The fans will want their bragging rights as well because it’s them that follow the team all over the country, so it adds a little bit of spice.

“We believe in our abilities, so nothing needs to change going into the playoffs, we just need to keep working hard every day.

“The fans have a massive part to play, they are our 12th man, they give you that 10 per cent to spur you on. I’m sure the fans will be in good numbers so that’ll give us something extra”.

"Every game now is a cup final. That's the way we have got to look at it." 👊

Get @MallanStephen's full thoughts, the team news, and find out how to follow the action in our @StockportCounty preview 🔍

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) May 12, 2023

The 27-year-old has registered three goals and one assist in 14 appearances this season, despite struggles with injuries. He assessed the campaign on a personal level: “It was difficult for me at the start of the season, I was injured for six to seven months, so I wasn’t able to help the team. But I’d rather be involved in the latter stages than at the start, so I definitely came back at the right time. The manager feels I have helped the team since I’ve been back, so we have to kick on now and hopefully get the team into league One”.

Tickets for the match are available here.