As every week goes by at the moment Salford RLFC have to deal with a storm, a whirlwind that rips right through the club. This week the financial struggles and strife continued as the press once again frantically reported on a daily basis.

On Thursday the news came of Marc Sneyd’s departure to Warrington which was a massive body blow. Sneyd has been the architect, creator and inspiration. All the communication on the pitch comes through him. As well as being a wonderful goal kicker his leadership skills and professionalism make him the perfect asset to any team.

Going into the cup tie against Bradford was always going to be tough but Sneyd’s exit and more sanctions against the club made the job a lot tougher.

It was a strange atmosphere prior to kickoff. It almost felt like an end of season game with this huge cloud of doubt hanging over the club. The eighty minutes in store would at least take some pressure off the supporters and allow their minds to focus on rugby league for a couple of hours.

The Bulls arrived after a positive start to the season in the championship with a good vocal following from West Yorkshire. Veteran forward Michael Lawrence started at prop with the exciting Jordan Lilley on the bench. James Donaldson has plenty of Super League experience and he was the Bradford loose forward.

Salford brought back Ethan Ryan on the wing to face his old club and Chris Hankinson moved to centre with Nene Macdonald missing. Chris Atkin replaced Sneyd in the halves with youngster Charlie McCurrie on the bench.

Jayden Nikorima started brightly for the home side with his direct running and some elusive play created a try for Esan Marsters. Ryan Brierley failed to convert, 4-0.

Salford received another blow early on when Hankinson left the field with what looked like a concerning shoulder injury. Kallum Watkins moved in to the centres to fill the gap. 

Bradford were making plenty of meters in possession and burst through the heart of Salford. Brierley chased back to pull off a tremendous try saving tackle. The inevitable sin binning followed for the Red Devils fullback after he held down for too long.

Kai Morgan extended the lead with a penalty goal but after making a real porridge of the kick off Bradford struck back with a neat try of their own. The extra man counted on the edges as Armitage touched down. 

The Bulls took a deserved lead after Salford failed to deal with an attacking kick. Fulton grabbed the try and the conversion was successful this time, 6-10.

Deon Cross was forced over the dead ball line by a very enthusiastic Bradford defence as the Devils clocked off with a real lack of urgency.

The Bulls had Meadows sin binned a minute before the break and as the hooter sounded Atkin ghosted over but referee Jack Smith ruled the try out for obstruction.

Salford were desperately seeking a response in the early stages of the second half and live wire Brierley provided it with a super try dropping his shoulder and working some magic. 12-10.

The visitors continued to move the ball and again caught Salford on the edges. Gill raced through a huge gap to put Bradford back in front.

Last tackle plays seemed a problem for the Devils and time after time they panicked and picked a poor option. The match was crying out for an old head to steady thing or a piece of individual brilliance. Salford got the latter of the two when Nikorima popped up to level the score. Morgan calmly slotted the conversation over to regain the narrow advantage, 18-16.

Chris Hill and Jack Ormondroyd were both outstanding in the pack both playing the full eighty minutes. Hill went on a barnstorming run that deserved a try in front of the south stand only to be denied by a ball steal. Morgan added the penalty and after that Salford went pretty direct to punish their plucky visitors. The Bulls made mistakes in their own half as Salford piled the pressure on. Brierley picked out Ryan with a measured kick to give the breathing space that was desperately needed. Morgan showed maturity beyond his years to convert a cracking kick off the touch line with a little help from the inside of the post. 

As the match entered the final five minutes Bradford had to go for broke chasing a ten point deficit. Ryan again was the hero pulling off a brave try saving tackle. 

On a night we’re young players Kai Morgan and Harvey Wilson were exceptional old stagers Hill and Ormondroyd ran their blood to water. I mean that with the greatest respect too. I won’t call Ryan Brierley an old stager just yet be he was also instrumental in this victory that sees Salford in the Challenge Cup Quarter Finalmdraw on Monday night. I spoke to a very honest Ryan Brierley after the match and the strain he and the team have been under has been immense. Let’s just hope things get better in the coming weeks. 

Salford have hit the bottom just lately but when you come across times like this there is only one thing for it. Shout To The Top. 

The Red Devils meet Huddersfield next Thursday in the Super League.

Salford 26 Bradford 16.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.