Salford City player manager, Rhodri Giggs, put his tabloid hell behind him yesterday to lead the Ammies to a comfortable victory in the first of a whole series of pre-season friendlies which should see the team hitting the ground running in the annual promotion bid from the Evo-Stik First Division North.
A total of 19 players were used in the match – including welcome returns to the club for the impressive Cayne Hanley, Matthew Kosylo and Alex Mortimer. New signings Gavin Salmon and James Agoo slotted in well, while giant centre half Liam Coyne looked good and even opened the scoring in the first half, slamming in at the back post from a corner.
After Prestwich Heys had equalised early in the second half, Bulgarian trialist Dimitar Belchev re-established Salford's lead after great work by Glyn Barker on the byline. Amidst all the substitutions, Rhodri Giggs himself even managed to get on the pitch for the final 15 minutes, looking combative and skilful as ever. With other established players coming back into the team and more signings promised, this could seriously be Salford City's big season.
Final score: Prestwich Heys 1 Salford City 2
Pre Season Home Friendles At Moor Lane, Kersal
Wed 20th July Oldham Athletic XI (7:30pm)
Tues 26th July Stockport County XI (7pm)
Tues 2nd August Preston North End XI (7:30pm)
For further details and updates see www.salfordcityfc.co.uk
Photos by Andrew Goudie