Last Friday was a tough defeat to take for the Salford supporters. After a bright start the whole momentum of the match seemed to change after Chris Atkin was sin binned. In my opinion the referee Chris Kendall got that decision completely wrong. It was a terrific tackle and clever ball steal from Atkin and he didn’t deserve to leave the field.

That incident can not be blamed for how the match played out though. So many error yet again, kicking the ball out on the full from the kick off not once but twice. Players switching off, missing tackles and the attack was very poor with the ball landing in touch on a few occasions where we should of done better.

It’s hard to pin point the problem at the moment for Richard Marshall to put right. The team are desperately low on confidence and you can see that when they play. Frustration is creeping in to the matches which is leaving us on the wrong side of the penalty count.

For two matches running now Salford have unraveled quite alarmingly against both Warrington and Hull Kingston Rovers, conceding over a hundred points in the process.

Under new coach Ian Watson it took Huddersfield a few matches to find there rhythm but they’ve now won three games and the side is starting to look a little more settled. They seem to be playing to a structure with Lee Gaskell and Aidan Sezer pulling the strings at half back.

Salford have enjoyed plenty of success in this fixture over the last few years and haven’t lost this away fixture since 2013.

The Red Devils need to start competing again because the last two performances have been way off the mark. The league table doesn’t make good reading at the moment. Just two points above Leigh is a nervous position to be in. The Centurions have improved recently coming close to victory in their last two matches against Wakefield and Catalans.

Super League away record.

Huddersfield 11

Draws 0

Salford 12

1998 Huddersfield 12 Salford 16

1999 Huddersfield 24 Salford 10

2000 Huddersfield/Sheffield 10 Salford 18

2001 Huddersfield 24 Salford 32

2001 Huddersfield 35 Salford 14

2004 Huddersfield 26 Salford 14

2004 Huddersfield 28 Salford 22

2005 Huddersfield 26 Salford 10

2006 Huddersfield 32 Salford 18

2006 Huddersfield 24 Salford 18

2007 Huddersfield 16 Salford 18

2009 Huddersfield 4 Salford 24

2010 Huddersfield 52 Salford 4

2011 Huddersfield 52 Salford 22

2012 Huddersfield 36 Salford 10

2013 Huddersfield 46 Salford 4

2014 Huddersfield 10 Salford 36

2015 Huddersfield 12 Salford 18

2016 Huddersfield 24 Salford 26

2017 Huddersfield 20 Salford 30

2018 Huddersfield 12 Salford 30

2019 Huddersfield 14 Salford 34

2020 Huddersfield 16 Salford 24

They played for both.

Here are a selection of players who have played for both clubs;

Steve Kerry, Danny Arnold, Greg Austin, David Bradbury, Jodie Broughton, Ryan Clayton, Gavin Clinch, Greg Eden, Simon Finnigan, Matt Gardner, Lee Gaskell, Martin Gleeson, Bobbie Goulding, Darrel Griffin, Josh Griffin, Neil Harmon, David Hodgson, Graham Holroyd, Andy Johnson, Phil Joseph, Craig Kopzack, Michael korkidas, Tommy Lee, Martin Moana, Chris Nero, Robbie Paul, Luke Robinson, Jordan Turner, Adam Walne, Paul White and Stephen Wild.

Australian Gavin Clinch gave good service to both clubs.

A match to remember Sunday 16th August 1998

Huddersfield 12 Salford 16

The 1998 season had began with much anticipation after a solid season the year before. Coach Andy Gregory made some exciting signings and the club were confident of finishing high up the league table. An excellent run in the Challenge Cup took Salford to the Semi Final where a heart breaking defeat to Sheffield Eagles seemed to shatter dreams of the players and supporters. After that the season took a real nose dive and we never really recovered.

Huddersfield were promoted along with Hull at the end of the 1997 season. The Giants struggled to adapt to life in the top flight winning just two matches all season. This game was a real close one though with Salford youngster Simon Svabic making a real impression with an impressive performance.

After a high profile transfer from St.Helens, Bobbie Goulding bossed the show for the Giants. The match was frantic at times but both sides defended well and chances were limited. Scott Naylor grabbed two tries for Salford and scrum half Josh White also crossed for a try. Svabic held his nerve to kick two conversions and Salford just about hung on for a 12-16 victory.

Salford centre Scott Naylor scored two tries back in 1998.

This victory sparked a mini revival for the Reds who drew the following week 18-18 at Sheffield Eagles before returning to the Willows to beat London 23-20.

In a disappointing season Salford finished 11th with 6 wins from 23 matches.

The teams that day:

Huddersfield, Arnold, Bunyan, Weston, Hanger, Belle, Orr, Moxon, Neill, Russell, Wittenberg, Berry, Richards, Sturm.

Subs, Goulding, Jackson, King, Field.

Salford, Broadbent, Svabic, Naylor, Hassan, Rogers, Lee, White, Southern, Edwards, Eccles, Highton, J Faimalo, Hulme.

Subs, Randall, E Faimalo, Forber, Savelio.

Attendance, 2,932

Referee, John Connolly.

Friday’s match.

One player who will be available this Friday is Dan Sarginson after serving his three match suspension. Dan adds experience to the side and the effort and endeavour he shows will hopefully have a positive effect on the team. One player who showed bucket loads of commitment at Craven Park last week was Chris Atkin. Chris worked tirelessly to try and work some attacking opportunities and this week he needs other players to have the same level of enthusiasm.

Salford’s lack of attacking quality has been glaringly obvious so far this season with only 106 points scored in nine matches. With Joe Burgess now fit and raring to go along with Rhys Williams and Ken Sio Salford have the fire power to cause any team problems. It is now a case of giving those players the quality service they need to convert chances in to points and tries.

The media will no doubt add plenty of spice to this fixture with Ian Watson and Luke Yates facing their former club. For Salford though it’s all about their performance. The players owe coach Richard Marshall a fully committed eighty minutes. Marshall has taken plenty of stick over the last couple of weeks and has done his best to protect his players from the negativity that a losing run brings. He can only do so much on the training field and when kick off comes this Friday the 17 players he picks need to show the supporters they’ve got something positive to build on for the rest of the season.

As a supporter you will sometimes get so caught up in a moment during a match. Tears of rage may roll down your face as your care and passion for the club takes a grip on you. Defeats will hurt sometimes but their is always the next match to try and put things right. That’s the comforting thing when following your team through thick and thin.

The action gets underway at 7:45pm.

Keep safe and enjoy the match.

Paul Whiteside.