The Official Salford City Match Thread (Sponsored by 100 Years of Salford as a City "for all your £1.40 a ticket needs")

An egg-cellent Easter saw Gills pick up a solid point at Walsall before following that up with one of the most comfortable and deserved home wins a Priestfield crowd has witnessed in a long time against Accrington on Easter Monday. Numerous positives can be taken from both games, although the cynic in me questions the timing of the sudden improvement as we move towards the end of the campaign and with new contracts being sought.

On that subject, and as Part 2 of the 2026/27 season ticket announcement, Bradley Dack has signed on for a further year. He's clearly been our best player this season, not only as top scorer, but as a driving force in midfield, his absence has been felt whenever he's not in the squad. While it's clear his peak physical years are behind him, his footballing brain appears as sharp as ever, possibly too sharp for some of his less talented team-mates, who have failed to spot his runs or passes on several occasions this campaign. In addition, he obviously cares a great deal for this football club and that carries enormous cachet with fans. I just hope that managerial judgements are not clouded by our last two results and that additional renewed contracts across the rest of the squad are very, very thin on the ground. 

Tomorrow we make a long trip to the City of Salford and a sold-out Peninsula Stadium to take on on Karl Robinson's play-off chasers. It looks like there will be a winner one way or another come 5pm that Salford have registered just four draws this campaign and none at all in the second half of the season. Automatic promotion is still on for the Ammies, although it looks less likely than it did at the end of January, with a run of four successive defeats and six from eight seeing them fall down the table as low as 9th before six wins from their next seven got things back on track. The Easter weekend saw them win one (Notts County (h)) and lose one (Crewe (a)) to leave them in 6th spot and just a win off the autos, assuming other results go their way. The 100th anniversary of Salford becoming as city is the reason for the uber-cheap ticket prices, apparently set at the approximate price of those a century ago. Up until the Easter weekend, £1.40 would still have seemed dangerously overpriced to watch Gills play, however, plenty have taken advantage of the offer with around 500 away fans expected in the North-West for this one. 

The last two results have seen the side more balanced, with round pegs in round holes. However, injuries remain a significant factor. Armani Little may or may not be fit after a serious finger injury saw his early departure on Monday. Conor Masterson's return in the same game was welcome, but with such a vast amount of the season missed and match fitness lacking, you have to wonder how much he will be able to contribute in the last five games. Definitely out are Shad Ogie, Euan Williams, Ethan Coleman and Cameron Antwi, the first two highly unlikely to be seen on the pitch for us again and the other two probably done for the season. Omar Beckles and Robbie McKenzie also remain on the injured list, although Harry Waldock could be back in contention following a knock.

Tomorrow is just the eighth meeting of the two sides, Gills leading by four wins to two with just a solitary draw. Our record at their place must be our best at any venue where we've played more than once, being undefeated from three matches, two of those wins. For the highlights, it's March 2024, some gorgeous spring weather on a pristine pitch, what seems likely to be Shad Ogie's only goal for Gills and Tim Dieng sealing the win with a second.

Safe travels if you're making the trip tomorrow, I hope the journey is paid off with another positive result for us. Three times I've had my finger hovering over the "buy now" button for this one. but with Herr Jnr being otherwise occupied and Jnr Jnr less than bothered, it felt a long way to go given elevated petrol prices and my continued annoyance at the way this season has panned out. I hope my absence is suitably punished come full-time with everyone's favourite Scouser, Robinson left raging and moaning and full of excuses which seems to be his way whenever we get one over his teams.

Enjoy the game, and...

COYG!!!