Tranmere visited Salford yesterday for a 3pm kick-off in their latest fixture in the 2022/23 League Two season.
Ahead of the game, Micky Mellon said, “We have expected to pick up more results than we have but we’re in a place where we expected to be further along with the group as well, we have a lot of work to do. We know we have to improve in certain areas so we just have to keep working forward, that’s all that we can do.
“We said at the start of the season that it was going to be about building for the future and that’s what we’ve done, we’ve recruited for that. What we never knew at the start of the season is where we were going to be at this stage and we’re obviously not where we’d like to be but we’re working hard to put it right.
“I’ve got the energy and desire to do that and I know that we need to win games because that’s what football is all about. We showed good signs certainly in the second half against Bradford and signs of being a decent team.”
Match Report: Salford City v Tranmere Rovers
| Salford City 0 |  v  | 1 Tranmere Rovers |
| Goals | Hawkes (34′) | |
| Assists | ||
| HT 0-1 |
Tranmere earned their first away win of the season yesterday at Salford with a first-half strike from Josh Hawkes.
Whilst Salford had 75% possession, they didn’t manage to get a single shot on target for the entire game.
Tranmere’s first chance came when Kane Hemmings set up Rhys Hughes inside the box, but his attempt on goal was blocked.
Ten minutes before half time, Rhys Hughes fed Josh Dacres-Cogley who crossed the ball along the ground to Josh Hawkes at the back post who placed it neatly into the net.
Rhys Hughes was quick off the mark as the second half began. His half volley from the edge of the box was tipped over the bar by Salford keeper, Tom King. The resulting corner provided Dynel Simeu with a close-range header that was saved by King’s lightning reactions.
Both sides had a number of attempts at goal during the second half. Josh Hawkes tried a banger from 35 yards, but his shot veered wide to the left. Kane Hemmings’ right footed shot from the centre of the box was ever so close, but missed to the right of the goal.
Another Hemmings attempt from outside the box also came close, but hit the bar. In the final minutes of the game, Reece McAlear saw his effort miss to the right. The ever-present Hemmings saw his 90th-minute shot from the centre of the box miss the target to the left.
Whilst Salford pressed for an equaliser, it never came and Tranmere secured their first three away points of the season.
Tranmere host Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday 20 September, and then visit Walsall on Saturday 24 September for a 3pm kick off in their next game of the League Two season.
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Line-ups
Salford City – Formation 4-3-3
1 Tom King GK
7 Ryan Watson DF
3 Ibou Touray (C) DF
42 Theo Vassell DF
26 Ryan Leak DF
10 Odin Bailey MF
16 Ethan Galbraith MF
6 Elliot Watt MF
9 Callum Hendry FW
24 Luke Bolton FW
11 Elliot Simoes FW
Substitutes
12 Jacob Chapman SUB
23 Kevin Berkoe SUB
35 Josh O’Brien SUB
22 Jack Jenkins SUB
8 Matthew Lund SUB
17 Matt Smith SUB
19 Lorent Tolaj SUB
Manager
Neil Wood
Match Officials
Referee: David Rock
Assistants: Darren Williams and Paul Stonier
Fourth official: Darren Handley
Tranmere Rovers – Formation 4-4-2
1 Ross Doohan GK
2 Josh Dacres-Cogley DF
3 Ethan Bristow DF
26 Dynel Simeu DF
14 Jordan Turnbull DF
4 Lee O’Connor MF
17 Rhys Hughes MF
8 Reece McAlear MF
11 Josh Hawkes MF
10 Kane Hemmings (C) FW
20 Elliott Nevitt FW
Substitutes
23 Mateusz Hewelt SUB
19 Neill Byrne SUB
29 Max Fisher SUB
22 Paul Lewis SUB
6 Chris Merrie SUB
7 Kieron Morris SUB
27 Jake Burton SUB
Manager
Micky Mellon
Attendance: 3175
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