This Saturday Salford welcome league leaders AFC Fylde to Moor Lane for a top of the table clash in the Vanarama National League North (KO 15:00).

The Ammies go into this match in blistering form, having won all but one of their last six league matches, scoring 15 goals and keeping five clean sheets.

The run has seen Salford reach 50 points and rise to third in the table, though Saturday’s visitors Fylde, sit nine points clear at the top of the league.

Fylde themselves arrive at Moor Lane in good form. The Coasters have won four league games on the bounce, beating two Greater Manchester’s clubs in the process in the form of Altrincham and FC United, as well as Alfreton Town and Chorley.

Last time out was a match to remember for the Ammies fans as Salford thrashed their derby rivals FC United 3-0 in front of over 4000 fans at Broadhurst Park. Goals from James Poole, Michael Nottingham and Jordan Hulme gave Salford an emphatic win.

Though last weekend Fylde had a strong win of their own, dispatching relegation battling Altrincham 4-1 at Mill Farm. A brace from star man Danny Rowe and goals from Macauley Wilson and Matty Hughes gave the Coasters all three points.

Last time the sides met they played out an entertaining 3-3 draw at Mill Farm as Steve Williams snatched a point for Fylde when he netted in injury time.

Mike Phenix thought he had won it for the Ammies having given Salford a 3-2 lead in the 85th minute, only for Williams to equalise with virtually the last kick of the game. Earlier Hulme and Nottingham netted for Salford, with Sam Finley and Rowe scoring for the Coasters.

Mike Phenix holds the mantle of Salford’s top scorer this term – having found the net on 12 occasions in the league, though he has been ably supported by Poole and Hulme who have six league goals each.

Nottingham and Simon Grand have been regulars at the heart of the Salford defence this season and have contributed to Salford’s 12 clean sheets – though both have also been threats at the other end as they both have six goals to their name.

Going into this tie Salford will be buoyed by the return of tricky winger Nick Haughton on loan from Fleetwood Town until the end of the season.

Another loanee, George Green, made his debut versus FC United and impressed so the attacking midfielder is another one too watch.

For Fylde the danger man is Rowe – the former Stockport and Fleetwood man has an incredible 35 league goals in 27 games this season – almost half of the side’s goals.

Back up strikers Brendan Daniels and Daniel Bradley are both a threat to Jay Lynch’s goal too having scored 13 goals between them this season, while James Hardy has proven to be a dangerous player as well – breaking from midfield to score eight goals this term.

Salford will be hoping that their home crowd will give them a slight advantage in this match which could go either way – pitting two of the best and most in form sides in the league against each other.

Matt Bullin
@matt_bullin01

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