Stockton scores two as Salford City cruise past Notts County

Salford City extended their impressive home form thanks to a Cole Stockton brace and a returning Conor McAleny goal.

The visitors started brightly and created the first chance of the match when a direct ball forward pierced the Salford backline and played Alassana Jatta through on goal, Matthew Young stood tall to deny the striker.

Salford responded with a chance of their own. Kelly N’mai beat his man with some tricky footwork and fired the ball low into Ben Woodburn who was unable to turn the cross home.

Notts County are a side who like to have the ball, they average the highest percentage in the division. Salford welcomed this, pressing their backline deep into their own half. Woodburn came close again anticipating a poor pass at the back but the visitors were let off.

Notts County didn’t seem to learn from their previous mistakes and were finally punished by the Ammies when Ossama Ashley intercepted goalkeeper Alex Bass’ miscued pass and slid the ball through to Connor McAleny who slotted into the empty net.

The attacker was named in the starting line-up for the first time in two months by Karl Robinson and repaid his manager’s trust with a goal.

McAleny probably couldn’t believe his luck as just moments later he was presented an almost identical chance. He converted his attempt but was flagged for a foul. While the score remained 1-0, Salford’s onslaught continued and it wasn’t long before they doubled their lead.

McAleny flicked a ball through to Stockton who coolly slotted the ball underneath the goalkeeper to extend his league tally to 4.

COLE AS YOU LIKE! pic.twitter.com/dY9AldoHMt

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) December 14, 2024

Chasing the game following Stockton’s strike, Notts County changed their approach to the match and began to move the ball faster in search of a goal.

But Salford finished the half the stronger side. At one point the Ammies received a large ovation from the home fans after the team stopped a threatening counter attack.

The break definitely seemed to benefit Notts County who came back out playing much better football. Young was called into action to make quickfire saves as the away side ramped up the pressure.

However, Salford would kill Nott’s County’s hopes of an unlikely comeback by adding a third after 54 minutes. N’Mai made himself a yard with some stepovers before curling a shot towards goal. His attempt was blocked into the path of Stockton who poached on the loose ball, striking home from close range for his second of the match.

As the game wound down Salford kept the intensity levels high and continued to press for a fourth goal. Eventually referee Paul Howard blew the final whistle. Salford move up to 10th following the result and extended their impressive home winning run to 4.

There were many great performers on the day but Conor McAleny was the standout Salford player. The 32-year-old was immense on his return to the starting line-up, picking up a goal and an assist. He received a deserved standing ovation from the Ammies faithful when he was substituted late in the second-half.