Salford triumphed 2-0 at home to last season’s beaten play-off finalists Mansfield to kick-off their League Two campaign in impressive fashion.
In Neil Wood’s first game in charge the Ammies took an early lead when debuting Callum Hendry latched on to Brandon Thomas-Asante’s ball to slot home in the fifth minute.
Salford had been dominant from the off and continued to test Mansfield’s back three.
And when Thomas-Asante was threaded through by Conor McAleny after 27 minutes he got the better of keeper Christy Pym in a one-on-one to double the hosts’ advantage.
Hiram Boateng had a good chance to pull one back for the Stags soon after, but he sliced the ball wide and Salford led by two goals going into the break.
The game opened up in the second half and visiting forward Jordan Bowery immediately Tom King with an effort from a distance tested which sailed over the crossbar.
Mansfield continued to push and forced King into a string of strong saves, but they could not dent Salford’s advantage and started their season with a defeat.
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Salford
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1KingBooked at 69mins
- 4LoweBooked at 36mins
- 42Vasell
- 25Nartey
- 32ShephardSubstituted forBoltonat 79′minutes
- 7Watson
- 6Watt
- 3Toray
- 18McAlene
- 10Thomas-Asante
- 9HendrySubstituted forLeakat 87′minutes
Substitutes
- 11Simões Inácio
- 17Smith
- 23Berkoe
- 24Bolton
- 26Leak
- 31Torrance
- 36Dackers
Mansfield
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Pym
- 35O’TooleSubstituted forGordonat 80′minutes
- 6HarbottleSubstituted forGaleat 89′minutes
- 3McLaughlin
- 7Akins
- 44Boateng
- 16QuinnSubstituted forO Clarkat 90′minutes
- 10MarisSubstituted forHewittat 61′minutes
- 9Bowery
- 18Oates
- 26SwanSubstituted forLapslieat 61′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Gordon
- 4Hewitt
- 8O Clark
- 13Flinders
- 21Gale
- 25Cooper
- 32Lapslie
- Referee:
- Adam Herczeg
- Attendance:
- 2,721
Live Text
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Match ends, Salford City 2, Mansfield Town 0.
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Second Half ends, Salford City 2, Mansfield Town 0.
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Attempt blocked. Rhys Oates (Mansfield Town) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
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Attempt missed. Conor McAleny (Salford City) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Ibou Toray.
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Hand ball by Lucas Akins (Mansfield Town).
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Kelan Gordon (Mansfield Town) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Brandon Thomas-Asante (Salford City).
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Attempt blocked. Luke Bolton (Salford City) header from the center of the box is blocked. Assisted by Brandon Thomas-Asante with a headed pass.
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Substitution, Mansfield Town. Ollie Clarke replaces Stephen Quinn.
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Substitution, Mansfield Town. James Gale replaces Riley Harbottle.
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Corner, Salford City. Conceded by Christy Pym.
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Attempt saved. Conor McAleny (Salford City) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Elliot Watt.
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Attempt saved. Rhys Oates (Mansfield Town) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stephen McLaughlin with a cross.
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Substitution, Salford City. Ryan Leak replaces Callum Hendry.
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Attempt missed. Ryan Watson (Salford City) right footed shot from outside the box is too high.
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Attempt missed. Hiram Boateng (Mansfield Town) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Akins with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Mansfield Town. Conceded by Ibou Touray.
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Attempt saved. Hiram Boateng (Mansfield Town) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Stephen Quinn.
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Substitution, Mansfield Town. Kelan Gordon replaces John-Joe O’Toole.
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Foul by Stephen McLaughlin (Mansfield Town).