Apologies for the delay. Bloody Tuesday night games. 
The Saddlers play host to The Ammies in our first early Saturday game, at the Pallet Track Bescot Stadium.
Kick-off time is earlier at 12:30pm, due to the match being on Sky Sports.
The Opposition
Salford started off last season slowly, spending the first few months around the relegation zone before improving to mid-table by November. They peaked at 3rd place in January, before dropping back into the playoff positions, spending some time just outside the playoffs and then being in 7th going into the final day. A draw for them, meant Chesterfield leapfrogging them after a win and Salford missed out on the last playoff spot.
Manager Karl Robinson will be looking for a playoff spot or better this season.
The Ammies have brought in many free transfers including Jorge Grant (midfielder from Hearts), Ollie Turton (defender from Huddersfield), Kadeem Harris (winger from Carlisle Utd), Mark Howard (goalkeeper from Wrexham), Loick Ayina (defender from Huddersfield) and Adebola Oluwo (defender from Barnet).
Permanent signings were Jay Bird (forward from Exeter City) and Kallum Cesay (defender from Wealdstone), with loans Matthew Young (goalkeeper from Sunderland) and Robbie Cleary (forward from Kerry FC).
The Proposition
With 4 games gone, Salford find themselves in 4th place with the Saddlers sitting mid-table in 11th.
Walsall’s last game against Grimsby, at home, was a disjointed performance with not much offered in the final 3rd. A 1-0 defeat was made all the worse with potentially serious injuries to Jonny Stuttle and Mason Hancock who look to be facing long layoffs. Puzzling substitutions and tactics from Mat Sadler led to boos at the final whistle. The injuries will lead to a changed starting 11 for this game.
Salford are on a 3 game winning streak, 2 of which have come on the road, against Notts County and Newport County. New signing Adebola Owulo netted in both of those games.
The First Time
The first meeting between the sides, was in League Two on the 5th October 2019, which resulted in a 0-3 home loss for Walsall.
The Worst Time
That first meeting was our worst result against them.
The Last Time
The Saddlers last meeting with The Ammies was a 2-2 home draw in League Two on 1st February 2025. Losing 2-0, we were rescued with 2 late Danny Johnson goals to really p*** off Gary Neville. It was also the only draw in 12 meetings.
Played for both
Rory Gaffney started his career at League of Ireland First Division team Mervue United before joining Premier League team Limerick in July 2011.
Cambridge United
On 25 November 2014 Gaffney agreed a move to League Two club Cambridge United when the transfer window opened. His first season was beset with injury and he made his Football League debut on 26 September 2015, replacing Conor Newton in the 81st minute in a 1–0 win against Stevenage at the Abbey Stadium providing the cross from which Cambridge scored. Gaffney went on to score twice on his first start for Cambridge United in the 3–2 away win over Yeovil Town on 23 October.
Bristol Rovers
On 14 January 2016, Gaffney moved permanently to League Two club Bristol Rovers after a successful loan spell. After scoring five goals in seven games for the West Country Club. Gaffney ended the season with a tally of eight league goals as he played a useful part in the club’s promotion to Football League One.
Gaffney ended the 2016-17 season with a total of nine goals as his side narrowly missed the playoffs.
Salford City
In June 2018 he joined National League side Salford City on a three-year contract. His first season with the club ended in success as Salford City won promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history in their first season in the fifth tier. Gaffney scored a penalty in a play-off semi-final shootout victory against Eastleigh and came off of the bench in the 3–0 final victory over AFC Fylde.
Walsall (loan)
On 31 August 2019 he joined Walsall on loan for the remainder of the 2019–20 season, linking up with former-Rovers manager Darrell Clarke. After 25 appearances, scoring just once, Gaffney had his loan terminated in February 2020.
Shamrock Rovers
On 24 February 2020, Salford City announced they and Gaffney had mutually parted ways and he had left the club and later that day signed for Shamrock Rovers. In April 2021, Gaffney opened his scoring for the club with a late equaliser against Sligo Rovers.
Gaffney scored twice at KF Teuta Durrës in a 2021–22 UEFA Europa Conference League tie where Rovers won 2-0.
In the 2022–23 UEFA Champions League Gaffney scored against Hibernians F.C.
When Gaffney scored at KF Shkupi in the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League he completed his scoring record in all three main European club competitions.
At the end of the 2022 season, a season in which Shamrock Rovers won the league for a third consecutive season, Gaffney was named the PFAI Players’ Player of the Year at the end of season awards.
Having originally being allowed leave the club at the end of the 2024 season following the end of his contract, Gaffney returned to Shamrock Rovers on 21 February 2025, 3 competitive games into the season, after proving his fitness following 10 months without a competitive appearance.
Also:
Lewis Warrington……. There wasn’t really anyone else coming up from Google, apart from Albert McPherson but he played for Salford Lads Club Youth so it obviously got confused.
Comment below if you know anyone else.. 
Lump On
We haven’t lost against Salford in the last 2 seasons, with 3 wins and a draw.
Lump Off
Salford slightly edge us on the wins with our overall record being (W5/D1/L6). They are in good form with 3 wins out of the first 4 games. Their only loss being on the opening day against currently unbeaten Crewe.
Goal Tally (sponsored by Owly McOwlface)
Connor Barrett - 2
Evan Weir - 1
Aaron Pressley - 1
UTS Match Poll
- Walsall Win
- Draw
- Salford Win