With just five games remaining Salford arrived at Leigh with another patched up side full of loan players from various clubs. The top of Super League is very competitive at the moment and the Leopards still have a good chance of a top two finish. Coach Adrian Lam picked a very strong squad knowing that points difference could definitely come into play. 

Since the cancellation of last Sunday’s match at home to Wakefield the week had been filled with more misery for Salford and their supporters. Ethan Ryan and Matty Foster left to join Championship side Oldham who have now got a very big squad of players with Super League experience.

I think what is hurting the Salford supporters the most is the doubt that hangs over us. It’s so worrying to not know if you’re going to have a club to support next season. Every match now feels like it could be the last. It feels like we are hanging by a thread. Thoughts of winning matches are long gone now. To even compete would be a minor miracle. The travelling Salford supporters were in good spirits prior to kick off but you could sense the fear amongst them. 

It’s been said a lot this season about player welfare and the mental health side of things amongst the staff and playing group. Perhaps the supporters get taken for granted a little but they have been through a lot in 2025. 

The home side started with Lachlan Lam and Ben McNamara in the halves, Josh Charnley made the wing and after scoring a try for Salford against Hull, Brad Dwyer was back from his one match loan at the Red Devils and he made the bench for Leigh. 

Salford had plenty of new faces on show with six players making their debuts, five of whom started the match, Neil Tchamambe, Louix Gorman, Jack Derbyshire, Rowan Milnes and Leon Ruan. Emmanuel Wane made the bench.

The Salford supporters made a fantastic noise prior to kick off as they travelled in big numbers. They were in the side stand rather than the usual away end behind the sticks. 

Young hooker Finlay Yates came off worse trying to charge a kick down in the opening exchanges and ended up failing his HIA. 

The home side expected to start fast and so did their supporters but Salford were very robust from the kick off. They pressed Leigh and forced them into errors that knocked them off their stride. The Red Devils looked determined to prove a point. Young winger Tchamambe looked so accomplished under the high ball and returned it with real intent. Leigh tested him relentlessly in the first quarter but he immediately impressed. 

Milnes looked comfortable at half back, his kicking game troubled Leigh fullback Bailey Hodgson who failed to deal with a huge swirling kick that he seemed to misjudge and knocked on. This allowed Salford to attack in good field position. On the back of a successful captains challenge Mellor saw his chance and darted over to give the visitors a well deserved lead just before the twenty minute mark. Milnes converted, 0-6.

Perhaps Leigh had taken Salford too lightly. The Red Devils looked organised in defence and with Declan Murphy returning the ball so dangerously at fullback their attack looked shaper than of recent weeks.

A lovely offload from Andy Badrock provided a try for Tesi Niu. The strong centre powered over and Ben McNamara levelled the score with a successful conversion, 6-6.

As the match reached the thirty minute mark Salford looked solid. Leigh weren’t busting the line but Charnley looked set to score in the corner, a heroic piece of defence from Dan Russell and Declan Murphy forced the flying winger into touch. 

Tchamambe came close off Milnes high kick and Justin Sangare ran the ball in well as he continues to grow in confidence. 

Two minutes from half time Leigh finally got in front. Lam’s high kick was perfectly measured for back rower Ethan O’Neill who touched down. McNamara converted as the half time hooter sounded. 12-6.

The Leopards piled the pressure on at the start of the second half. Twice they forced drop outs and each time Milnes cleverly went short with the drop out kick and winger Tchamambe took them both superbly to release the pressure. This lad looked so confident, a star in the making. 

It took the home side an hour to get on top of a spirited Salford side. Charnley scored a trademark try in the corner to leave Salford trailing 18-6 with twenty minutes to play. 

Leigh upped the tempo in the final quarter scoring four tries and it took the game away from Paul Rowley’s brave young side who had given everything. 

The travelling Salford supporters stayed behind long after the final hooter. The players were in the stand chatting to the fans in what was a thrilling atmosphere. We’ve had some very dark days this season but once again the energy and atmosphere created by that special bond this club has between its player and supporters gave everyone involved a huge lift. The future for our beloved club still hangs in the balance. The next few weeks will shape the future in one way or another but for this weekend we can smile and be very proud of the courage and effort shown. It was certainly a refreshing change to see our side competing again. 

Salford travel to Warrington next Friday night for their penultimate away game of the season.

Leigh 38 Salford 6.

Paul Whiteside.

Big thanks to Steve McCormick for the photos.