Salford City 2-0 Stevenage: League Two debut ends in victory for Ammies
- Published
Emmanuel Dieseruvwe scored Salford's first Football League goal after 29 minutes
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.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes (right) was one of five former United players who took over Salford City in 2014