AFC Telford 0 Salford City 2 - Report

Analysis

The home side would have been confident going into the clash after four games without a loss in the National League North but Salford, who had gone seven without a win, were deserving of the victory.

Simon Grand and James Poole got the goals for the Ammies, while James Hurst was sent off for the Bucks on the hour mark after picking up a second yellow card.

Grand - one of four ex-Telford men in the Salford squad along with Mike Phenix, Jack Deaman and Craig King - opened the scoring with a close range header after both Hurst and Jonathan Royle went close for the hosts.

Telford were then left to rue another missed chance as just two minutes after Connor McCarthy had an effort cleared off the line, the Class of '92-owned club doubled their advantage.

This time, Richie Allen burst down the left hand side and his cross was poked home by Poole - both goals were from a combined distance of around three yards.

Although they were 2-0 down, Telford were still eager to break forward and Salford goalkeeper Jay Lynch denied Luca Havern with a smart save shortly after the break.

The turning point came inside the 61st minute when Hurst, who had already been booked for mouthing off at referee Kelvin Sarsfield in the first period, was booked again for a late challenge.

Understandably, the Ammies were happy to sit back and not take too many risks in the final half-hour given they were two goals ahead and had one more player on the pitch.

Bucks boss Rob Smith introduced Dwayne Samuels, Dave Hibbert and Danny Reynolds to try and force a goal but it was not be, with the Salford defence holding firm.

Ultimately, Telford had their chances but Salford, who have all the makings of a top end side in this league, were more clinical.

Key moments

11 - A stunning half-volley by James Hurst is heading for the back of the net but, somehow, Salford shot-stopper Jay Lynch manages to tip the ball over.

12 - The Bucks go so close to taking the lead, again. Hurst bursts down the right hand side and his cross meets Jonathan Royle, whose curling effort rattles the crossbar.

19 - GOAL! Salford go 1-0 up. Jack Deaman rises highest at the back post following a deep corner and his header across the goal is finished off by Simon Grand.

24 - The Ammies should be further in front. Mike Phenix bundles his way into the area and tees up Richie Allen, who screws the ball wide from close range.

33 - The Bucks spurn a great chance to go level. Connor McCarthy goes through on goal and hesitates slightly before his toe-bunted effort is cleared off the line by Stephen O'Halloran.

35 - GOAL! Salford double their advantage through James Poole. Allen plays a lovely ball into the box from the left hand side and Poole pokes the ball. He could not miss.

44 - Hurst mouths off at referee Kelvin Sarsfield after giving away a free-kick, and is shown a yellow card.

45 - Ammies full-back O'Halloran finds some space in the area, after a lovely Poole flick, but his strike takes a deflection and goes out for a corner, which nothing comes from.

48 - Following a deep free-kick into the area, the unmarked Paul McCone can only head the ball wide from around 10 yards out.

53 - Another Telford centre-half goes close after a dangerous ball into the box. This time, Luca Havern's acrobatic volley is stopped by Lynch.

59 - Ammies forward Jordan Hulme breaks into the box from the left and his shot flashes just past the far post.

61 - RED CARD! It was coming - James Hurst is shown a second yellow card for a poor tackle. The Salford fans chant 'cheerio' as the defender makes his way off the pitch.

75 - Craig King's effort is spilled by Bucks goalkeeper James Montgomery into the path of Hulme, whose shot from a few yards out is blocked on the line by Ben O'Hanlon.

84 - Telford substitute Danny Reynolds puts his laces through the ball after finding space in the box but Lynch denies him with a fine stop.

Man of the match

Ben O'Hanlon - The man on loan from Wolves impressed at left wing-back. He managed to put a fair amount of crosses into the box and was solid on the back foot.

Position in the table

15th (18 points from 16 games)

Teams

Telford (5-3-2): Montgomery; Hurst, McCone, Havern (c) (Reynolds, 77), Bailey, O'Hanlon; Royle, Rea, Williams (Samuels, 65); McCarthy, Reid (Hibbert, 76). Subs not used: Wilson, Campion.

Salford (4-4-2): Lynch; Nottingham, Deaman, Grand (c), O'Halloran; Poole, Burton, Walker, Allen (King, 57); Phenix (Warburton, 74), Hulme. Subs not used: Priestley, Atkinson, Johnston.

Goals: Simon Grand (19), James Poole (35)

Attendance: 1,841.

Referee: Kelvin Sarsfield.