Bloods defeat Salford City

Droylsden were triumphant in their final pre-season match beating Salford City XI 3-1 at the Butchers Arms.

A positive performance against strong opposition will give manager Dave Pace much encouragement ahead of the Bloods league season which begins this Saturday.

The Bloods grew in confidence as the first half went on, creating several chances from their aggressive pressing. However, their first goal came from a galloping run down the right wing from Mauro Mendes, who cut the ball back to Caelan Kilheeney on the edge of the box providing the clinical finish.

Nelson Van fired home the second after Salford was caught playing out from the back, the ball fell to Fuad Kasali who then assisted Van. Kasali and Van ended last season in fine form and will be hoping to replicate that in this upcoming campaign.

Droylsden has awarded the third to midfielder Ben Lowe, but admittedly it looks more like an own goal as the Salford defender attempted to clear Lowe’s ball into the box but inadvertently sliced it into his own net.

Salford started to look dangerous in the latter stages of the second half, perhaps due to fitness levels and pulled back a consolation goal but the Bloods held out to maintain a two-goal cushion.

After four wins out of five games in pre-season Dave Pace was pleased with his side’s performances, saying that he was ‘happier’ than he was at this same stage last year, also adding, “It took us 15 games to get going, to really kick on and hopefully we can hit the ground running a little bit better than we did last year and kick on from there.”

Droylsden’s campaign begins this Saturday as they host Euxton Villa, a new test for the Bloods as they have moved leagues from the North West Counties First Division South to the First Division North.