Match report

Salford City Stuns Colchester, Secures League Two Win

Colchester
Colchester
0–1
FT
Salford City
Salford City
Feb 28, 2026

In a closely contested League Two encounter, Salford City stunned the home side Colchester United, securing a crucial 1-0 win at the Matchroom Stadium on Tuesday night. Despite intense pressure from Colchester, Salford's clinical finishing and strong defense proved decisive in this tightly fought match. The only goal of the game came through Chris Stockton, who capitalized on an assist by Khaled N'Mai just before halftime.

Key Facts

  • • Final Score: Colchester United 0–1 Salford City (League Two)
  • • Goal Scorer: C. Stockton for Salford City at minute 69
  • • Yellow Cards: R. Longelo-Mbule (Salford), W. Goodwin, A. Read, F. Back (Colchester)
  • • Substitutions for Colchester United: Romeo Akachukwu, Sam Tovide, Fletcher Barbrook, Harry Anderson
  • • Substitutions for Salford City: Alex Dorrington, Ben Woodburn, Federico Borini, Owen Turton

Lineups

Colchester

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Matt Macey (G)
  • 22 Fin Back (D)
  • 5 Jack Tucker (D)
  • 24 Harvey Araujo (D)
  • 2 Rob Hunt (D)
  • 16 Arthur Read (M)
  • 8 Teddy Bishop (M)
  • 14 Kyreece Lisbie (M)
  • 10 Jack Payne (M)
  • 27 Romeo Akachukwu (M)
  • 19 Will Goodwin (F)

Substitutes

  • 6 Tom Flanagan
  • 40 Frankie Terry
  • 25 Finley Barbrook
  • 15 Dominic Gape
  • 7 Harry Anderson
  • 9 Samson Tovide
  • 17 Jaden Williams

Salford City

Formation: 5-4-1

Starting XI

  • 1 Matthew Young (G)
  • 45 Rosaire Longelo (D)
  • 24 Alfie Dorrington (D)
  • 15 Brandon Cooper (D)
  • 28 Zach Awe (D)
  • 29 Luke Garbutt (D)
  • 7 Ben Woodburn (M)
  • 17 Josh Austerfield (M)
  • 8 Jorge Grant (M)
  • 10 Kelly N'Mai (M)
  • 26 Ryan Graydon (F)

Substitutes

  • 33 Mark Howard
  • 6 Oliver Turton
  • 18 Matt Butcher
  • 4 Ossama Ashley
  • 16 Fabio Borini
  • 9 Cole Stockton
  • 25 Princewill Ehibhatiomhan

Timeline

  1. Salford City
    31' Salford City Card · Yellow Card
    R. Longelo-Mbule

    Foul

  2. Colchester
    37' Colchester Card · Yellow Card
    W. Goodwin

    Foul

  3. Colchester
    41' Colchester Card · Yellow Card
    A. Read

    Foul

  4. Colchester
    43' Colchester Card · Yellow Card
    F. Back

    Foul

  5. Colchester
    60' Colchester subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Romeo Akachukwu · On: J. Williams
  6. Colchester
    60' Colchester subst · Substitution 2
    Off: W. Goodwin · On: S. Tovide
  7. Colchester
    68' Colchester subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Bishop · On: F. Barbrook
  8. Salford City
    69' Salford City subst · Substitution 1
    Off: A. Dorrington · On: C. Stockton
  9. Salford City
    78' Salford City Goal · Normal Goal
    C. Stockton · Assist: K. N'Mai
  10. Salford City
    80' Salford City subst · Substitution 2
    Off: B. Woodburn · On: O. Ashley
  11. Colchester
    83' Colchester subst · Substitution 4
    Off: F. Back · On: Harry Anderson
  12. Salford City
    87' Salford City Card · Yellow Card
    J. Austerfield

    Foul

  13. Salford City
    88' Salford City subst · Substitution 3
    Off: K. N'Mai · On: F. Borini
  14. Salford City
    89' Salford City subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Longelo-Mbule · On: O. Turton

Match Stats

Stat Colchester Salford City
Fouls 13 17
Pass Accuracy 74% 62%
Offsides 3 2
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 8 15
Corners 4 5
Total Passes 435 263
Yellow Cards 3 2
Blocked Shots 2 6
Shots on Target 2 4
xG — —
Shots off Target 4 5
Possession 62% 38%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 321 163
Shots Inside Box 6 10
Saves 2 2
Shots Outside Box 2 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Colchester's early pressure resulted in three yellow cards within the first 43 minutes, disrupting their rhythm and giving Salford a psychological boost.
  • ▸ Salford City capitalized on Colchester's disarray to score through C. Stockton at minute 69, securing the lead that they would not relinquish.