Salford City consolidated their strong position in the EFL Trophy group with a 3-1 victory over Stockport County on October 8, 2025. This match result completed a double over their group rivals for Salford, effectively securing their progression to the knockout stages. Playing at home in a 2:00 AM kick-off, Salford built on their previous win against Wigan with another assertive performance. They took control of the game early, establishing a lead that they would not relinquish. Stockport County managed to pull a goal back to create some tension, but Salford responded swiftly to restore their two-goal cushion and see out the win. The focus point was Salford's tactical maturity and ability to manage the game after scoring, contrasting with Stockport's inconsistent form in the competition. This victory placed Salford City firmly at the top of the group table, while leaving Stockport County's fate hanging in the balance. The Salford manager highlighted his team's professional approach, while Stockport's boss pointed to defensive errors that proved costly. The lineups showed Salford's blend of experience and youth proving too strong on the night.