Second Half
50 mins: Notts County have a corner from the left side. Jones delivers the ball into the box, but Oluwo manages to flick it away.
Salford counterattack swiftly, but Garbutt's cross goes out off a County player. The referee awards a goal kick.
48 mins: Jatta advances and sends a cross from the byline, but Mnoga clears it decisively. A third goal would likely secure the match for Notts County.
46 mins: Salford nearly score within 20 seconds of the restart as Cesay breaks through on goal, but goalkeeper Belshaw rushes out and gathers the ball, despite sustaining a stud injury to his knee.
Woodburn replaces Butcher for Salford at the start of the second half.
Half-time: Notts County 2-0 Salford
The Magpies have dominated the first half, capitalizing on Salford's errors to take a two-goal lead, putting them 45 minutes away from promotion to League One.
45+2 mins: We are midway through four minutes of added time.
Salford must survive until half-time and then devise a strategy to alter the game's course. Woodburn, Harris, and Borini may provide fresh options.
GOAL! Jones delivers a free-kick to the back post where McDonald lifts it into the danger area. Ness is positioned perfectly to head the ball into the top corner.
GOAL! Notts County 2-0 Salford (Ness, 45)
A well-executed free-kick results in a headed goal by Ness.
44 mins: Mnoga commits a crude foul on Jones and receives a caution. Jones is in visible pain, but VAR does not intervene.
42 mins: Ness fouls Longelo on the left flank, an unwise defensive move. Garbutt takes the resulting free-kick, which goes over everyone. Despite the quality of the cross, Salford's players fail to capitalize.
40 mins: Manager Robinson contemplates tactical changes, appearing thoughtful and well-prepared for the sunny conditions.
38 mins: Norburn is careless near his own box and nearly loses possession.
36 mins: Jatta executes a strong challenge to regain possession from Mnoga, showcasing his versatility.
34 mins: Mnoga attempts to invigorate Salford by charging out of defense and winning a free-kick, but the team quickly loses the ball and must adopt a more patient approach.
GOAL! Jones delivers an excellent pass that bypasses the center-backs, enabling Jatta to control the ball and slot it into the corner.
GOAL! Notts County 1-0 Salford (Jatta, 32)
Jatta demonstrates his finishing ability with a composed goal.
31 mins: Garbutt's left-footed cross is deflected behind for a corner. He takes the corner, but Belshaw collects it securely.
30 mins: The game has been uneventful since the restart; players may require additional hydration.
28 mins: After a brief pause for cooling and hydration, play resumes.
Many fans are seated under the sun, with temperatures reaching 36.6°C pitchside.
24 mins: Garbutt swings in the first corner of the match, which Notts County eventually clear after a series of aerial duels.
Garbutt delivers another excellent ball from the left, but Udoh is outjumped. Salford is beginning to gain some momentum.
22 mins: Salford have maintained approximately 75% possession. It appears they may be employing a defensive tactic to conserve energy.
Tsaroulla is booked for pushing Longelo down.
Butcher attempts a shot from around 20 yards, which is deflected wide for a corner.
20 mins: Jatta receives a long ball from Luker but is crowded out near the box. Without support, Salford recovers possession.
18 mins: Salford focus on territorial play with throw-ins down the line, but their short passes fail to create chances against a resolute Notts County defense.
16 mins: Jones crosses into the box for Jatta, but the ball lacks pace, causing Jatta to head over the bar.
14 mins: Notts County aim to involve Jatta more, as he has the ability to penetrate defenses but has been underutilized so far.
12 mins: The matchup between Jones and Mnoga is intense, with both players showing determination.
10 mins: McDonald struggles under pressure, failing to clear the ball on multiple occasions due to Salford's effective pressing.
8 mins: Jones is active on the left flank, delivering a dangerous cross that Salford narrowly manage to defend.
6 mins: Mnoga's robust challenges help advance Salford up the pitch, earning a free-kick. Young sends it into the box, but Notts County clear effectively.
4 mins: Salford have a free-kick on the left, delivered by Garbutt and easily cleared.
Notts County gain ground through Jones, who passes to Iorpenda, but his low cross is well defended.
2 mins: Salford opt for a long ball early, possibly to conserve energy.
Jatta makes an early run but is tackled before creating a scoring opportunity.
Goalkeeper James Belshaw is positioned in the shaded area of the pitch, which offers some relief from the heat.
Notts County's fanbase significantly outnumbers Salford's, with the Ammies having a relatively small following.
Hydration breaks are implemented due to the high temperatures.
The players are currently in the tunnel preparing for kickoff.
Jatta is regarded as an exceptional finisher, a level above the current competition.
Gary Neville confirms that co-owner David Beckham is attending the match and is concerned about the weather conditions.
Gary Neville and Nicky Butt are present at Wembley. Beckham's attendance was uncertain but later confirmed.
The weather at Wembley is extremely hot, with nearby Heathrow recording 33.5°C, the hottest May day on record. The conditions pose a challenge for the players over 90 minutes or more.
Salford narrowly missed automatic promotion by one point on the final day, leading to their playoff campaign under manager Karl Robinson.
“To play 58 games in a year is unbelievable,” Robinson said. “We have done so much, and been through so many moments. It is something that we are really proud of.
I just hope now that we make ourselves really competitive for one last time and, hopefully, get another win under our belts. If we do that, then I will be happy.”
Earlier in the season, an interview with Salford’s Fabio Borini highlighted his journey from Liverpool to Salford.
Sky Sports conducted an interview with James Belshaw, a fan and the club’s goalkeeper who joined in January. Coincidentally, it is his daughter Isla’s third birthday today, and she is expected to attend the match.
Belshaw was interviewed previously, providing more insight into his background.
Starting Lineups
Notts County (3-4-2-1): Belshaw; Ness, McDonald, Bedeau; Tsaroulla, Norburn, Robertson, Jones; Iorpenda, Luker; Jatta
Subs: Griffiths, Palmer, Kouhyar, Bennetts, Grant, Ndlovu, Dennis
Salford (3-4-3): Young; Oluwo, Cooper, Garbutt; Mnoga, Butcher, Austerfield, Longelo; Cesay, Graydon, Udoh
Subs: Howard, Turton, Woodburn, Stockton, Harris, Borini, Dorrington
This match represents a significant occasion, especially for supporters from Salford and Nottingham. A spot in League One is at stake, a goal Gary Neville has pursued for years without success. Karl Robinson has methodically assembled a strong squad to give Salford their best chance at reaching the third tier for the first time.
Notts County boast a larger fanbase and a richer history, fueling their belief in promotion. They possess notable talent, including striker Alassana Jatta, who is considered capable of playing at Championship level and could be the key to their success at Wembley.
