Match ends, Salford City 2, Stevenage 0.
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe's double helped Salford City to victory over Stevenage in their first ever match as an English Football League club.
The striker scored in each half as Salford, who have won four promotions in five seasons since being taken over by a group of former Manchester United team-mates in 2014, made a winning start in League Two.
Dieseruvwe slid in Scott Wiseman's low cross from eight yards to put the Ammies ahead, and converted from a goalmouth scramble just after half-time to put Graham Alexander's side in complete control.
"The play-off final last season was a great experience of managing a big game and occasion and we did that really well. We remind ourselves it is a great start but it's only one game," Salford boss Graham Alexander said.
"We are trying to improve each weekend. It is good to start with a win. We did not have a point after three games last year and we still got promotion, but the win will have settled people down.
"I thought the players handled the game superbly but I had confidence in them."
Captain Adam Rooney had hit the bar with a first-time half-volley shortly before Dieseruvwe's opener, during a first half in which Stevenage failed to have an attempt at goal.
Dieseruvwe had chances to complete his hat-trick, but headed straight at Stevenage goalkeeper Paul Farman and then prodded wide from close range.
Stevenage, who finished one point outside the League Two play-off places last season, did not create a chance until Kurtis Guthrie's 20-yard strike over the bar in the 57th minute.
Salford goalkeeper Chris Neal's only save of note was a low diving stop to keep out Danny Newton's second-half header.
"I think the first game of the season is always difficult because you get so emotional - six weeks preparation and everyone excited by the first game," Boro boss Dino Maamria said.
"It's always brilliant to get a first win.
"Sometimes you just learn from it (losing) and move on, but that's not going to decide the fate of our season."
Work and family commitments meant most of Salford's co-owners were unable to attend the game, although ex-England midfielder Paul Scholes was in the crowd to witness the club's victorious EFL debut.
Line-ups
Salford
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Neal
- 8Maynard
- 23Pond
- 6Piergianni
- 2Wiseman
- 17TowellBooked at 45minsSubstituted forArmstrongat 77'minutes
- 24Smith
- 19Shelton
- 3Touray
- 9RooneySubstituted forBeesleyat 71'minutes
- 20DieseruvweSubstituted forThrelkeldat 90'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Threlkeld
- 7Armstrong
- 12Letheren
- 15Burgess
- 18Whitehead
- 29Beesley
Stevenage
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Farman
- 15Vancooten
- 5Cuthbert
- 14FieldingSubstituted forNewtonat 45'minutes
- 2Wildin
- 18ParrettSubstituted forTaylorat 43'minutes
- 6Soares
- 16IonttonSubstituted forHusinat 68'minutes
- 3Stokes
- 11Sonupe
- 28Guthrie
Substitutes
- 7Carter
- 9Cowley
- 12Husin
- 13Bastien
- 19Newton
- 23Smith
- 25Taylor
- Referee:
- Kevin Johnson
- Attendance:
- 3,416
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home50%
- Away50%
- Shots
- Home16
- Away5
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away2
- Corners
- Home3
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home11
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Salford City 2, Stevenage 0.
Post update
Ibou Touray (Salford City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kurtis Guthrie (Stevenage).
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Foul by Martin Smith (Salford City).
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Danny Newton (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. Mark Shelton (Salford City) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
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Attempt blocked. Martin Smith (Salford City) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Tom Soares (Stevenage).
Substitution
Substitution, Salford City. Oscar Threlkeld replaces Emmanuel Dieseruvwe.
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Foul by Luke Armstrong (Salford City).
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Terence Vancooten (Stevenage) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Nathan Pond.
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Attempt blocked. Kurtis Guthrie (Stevenage) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Luther Wildin with a cross.
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Corner, Stevenage. Conceded by Carl Piergianni.
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Delay over. They are ready to continue.
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Delay in match because of an injury Scott Cuthbert (Stevenage).
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Mark Shelton (Salford City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Luther Wildin (Stevenage).