Never mind a thick skin! You need a suit of armour to be a Salford supporter these days. It had been another turbulent week with shot and shell landing all over the place!

The match seemed a welcome escape from all the off field drama and coach Paul Rowley welcomed back three of his senior players to the line up with Nene Macdonald, Ryan Brierley and Chris Hankinson starting.

Brierley moved to scrum half to partner Jayden Nikorima. Macdonald started on the wing. It was a very young pack with George Hill, Harvey Makin, Matty Foster and Toby Warren all in the starting thirteen at Wheldon road.

Castleford had former Salford players Brad Singleton and Chris Atkin on the bench. 

The Red Devils made an exciting start putting the Tigers under pressure. They looked very threatening in possession which was a welcome sight after being nilled five times already this season. 

The Tigers scored a try on their first attack as Salford looked very pedestrian in defence. Tex Hoy went over and the goal was added 6-0.

The Tigers made a mistake deep in their own half on the next set allowing Salford a chance to attack. A penalty followed but the visitors spurned the kick at goal instead deciding to pile more pressure on. Considering the playing conditions were near perfect both sides came up with lots of errors. 

Salford failed to make touch from a penalty and the Tigers took advantage. A high kick went up which caused panic, Brierley seemed to miss judge it in the air and Zac Cini grabbed the try. 

The match began to run away from Salford when Innes Senior went through a huge gap to score on the left edge then Hoy cut through the middle to charge over. 24-0 at the break didn’t reflect the possession or territory Salford had enjoyed but the Devils lacked the cohesion to finish chances off.

Super play from Nikorima set up Matty Foster to get a nice try at the start of the second half. You could visibly see Salford’s confidence lift. Shortly after Macdonald went over, 24-10.

Hankinson came up with a big chance to grab a third try but couldn’t find the final pass. 

Desperate defence at the other end looked to have kept the Tigers out but Mustapha found the gap to squeeze under the sticks to make the game more or less safe for the home side. 

Hoy was the best player on the pitch and he capped a thrilling display with his hat-trick try. 

Nikorima and Ethan Ryan both went off with what looked like leg injuries for Salford which adds to Paul Rowley’s injury list! 

Asi set up Mellor with some clever half back play for the Tigers seventh try of the afternoon. 

Young forward Toby Warren played the full eighty minutes competing well against a very strong Tigers pack.

The Red Devils never gave up though and kept working right to the final hooter. A lovely Brierley kick provided a second for Macdonald but the final try went to the home side when Asi got a rather fortunate regather to race over. 

Considering the circumstances Salford are under at the moment the away support were absolutely fantastic. A very healthy following complete with flags, scarfs and banners sang their hearts out at the old railway end of the ground on what was a glorious sunny evening in West Yorkshire. With so many games left the rest of the season promises to be a real struggle but the supporters have definitely got the players backs! 

It seems a very complicated situation off the field.

Salford face another away trip to this part of the world next Sunday to face in form Wakefield Trinity.

Castleford 48 Salford 16.

Paul Whiteside

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.