Founded: 1940 (as Salford Central)
Nickname: The Ammies
Honours: National League North (2017/18), National League Play-Offs (2018/19), Papa John’s Trophy (2020*)

*Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Final was played 13, March 2021.

The origins of Salford City are obscure though a club having been founded as Salford Central in 1940 developed to become the modern team we see today. In 1980, Anson Villa (not a typo) merged with Salford before changing their name in 1990 to Salford City. The club nickname The Ammies derives from another former name, Salford Amateurs.

The City of Salford is a metropolitan borough in the Greater Manchester sub-urbs, with the name adopted by the largest Town there. Salford is of course famous for its quays and Media City UK which houses the BBC amongst other major media corporations.

Salford became a large silk distribution centre during the industrial revolution and was a major inland port for the Manchester Shipping Canal.

In true community spirit, Salford City are now owned by ex-players from another local club, who have made rapid progress in their project. Salford have won four promotions in six seasons to now become a Football League club for the first time in their history and the standards are now so high at the club, not even seventh in the league (where they sit going into Saturday’s fixture) is enough for the Class of ’92.

Northampton 1 Swindon Town 1 Leauge Two

Northampton skipper Fraser Horsfall headed home a late equaliser to rescue his side a draw against Swindon.

The Cobblers, who had been controversially denied an opening goal in the first half, had gone behind to Tyreece Simpson’s 57th-minute opener.

The Swindon striker kept his cool to drill in after a low cross from the right landed at his feet eight yards out.

But with seven minutes of normal time remaining, Horsfall met Sam Hoskins’ corner from the right and forced an equaliser.

An entertaining match saw both sides play attacking football and create good chances, with Danny Rose hitting the post with a first-half header for the hosts.

Simpson also hit the bar for the visitors, with that chance coming moments after referee Brett Huxtable belatedly changed his mind to chalk off Rose’s close-range goal in the 40th minute.

Huxtable and his assistant initially awarded the goal, before changing their minds and disallowing it for a foul on Romoney Crichlow in the build-up.

That decision upset the Cobblers players and their supporters, but Horsfall’s late goal sent them home happy.

Tranmere 2 Salford 0- Leauge Two

Kieron Morris scored one and set-up another as Tranmere made it two wins from their last three League Two outings by beating Salford in a fiery encounter that saw both teams finish the game with 10 men.

Morris opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 13th-minute and turned provider early in the second half with his left-footed cross being glanced home by the head of striker Elliott Nevitt.

Salford’s hopes of getting back into the match at 1-0 down were dealt a major blow in the 20th minute when Ibou Touray was given a straight red card for a high challenge on Callum McManaman.

There was renewed optimism for the Ammies just before half-time after Tranmere midfielder Jay Spearing saw red for catching Matty Lund late in a 50-50.

But it proved to be short-lived as Nevitt’s diving header doubled Rovers’ advantage in the 48th minute and sealed a win that moves Micky Mellon’s side up to 11th in the table.

Salford, meanwhile, drop to 17th, just one point outside the relegation zone.

11 January 2020 – Salford 1 Northampton Town 2

Andy Williams’ second-half strike secured victory for Northampton as they came from behind to beat Salford at the Peninsula Stadium.

The Ammies had taken a 20th-minute lead through Jack Baldwin but Keith Curle’s promotion chasers hit back thanks to goals from Sam Hoskins and Williams.

Salford went in front when on-loan Sunderland defender Baldwin met Craig Conway’s cross and headed the ball beyond Cobblers goalkeeper David Cornell.

The visitors equalised nine minutes later when Nicky Adams sent in a pass to Hoskins, who smashed it into the far corner of the net.

Northampton spurned two great opportunities at the start of the second half.

Vadaine Oliver hit the side netting, before Williams skipped around Salford keeper Kyle Letheren but was forced wide.

But their efforts were rewarded when they took the lead just after the hour mark.

Paul Anderson saw his shot blocked by Baldwin but the rebound fell to Williams, who fired the ball home.

Salford’s tails were up as the clock ticked towards full-time, with Cornell making a tremendous save to deny Nathan Pond but Northampton held on to record a second successive league win.

Played	Won	Draw	Lost	F	A
2	2	0	0	4	1

The Cumbrian-based official will travel to Salford for his 9th game of the campaign and his first in Sky Bet League Two. The current season is Backhouse’s 5th as an EFL official.

He’s last game of the season was on the 16th January with a 0-0 draw with Sky Bet leauge two sides Newport And Solford. In this game Josh Sheehan was sent off for Newport.

In 2018-19, he took charge of 39 games, issuing 105 yellow cards and five reds. Meanwhile, in 26 games so far this season, he’s shown 83 yellow cards and three reds.

Salford have lost both of their league games against Northampton with these coming in the 2019-20 campaign.
Northampton’s Sam Hoskins scored in both of the Cobblers victories against Salford in the 2019-20 season.
Salford haven’t conceded more than once in any of their last 16 home league games (W8 D6 L2), keeping a clean sheet in five of their last seven at home.
Northampton have won two of their four away league games this season (D1 L1), just one fewer than they managed in 23 on the road in League One last term.