Salford 28 Widnes 20

Another great win for Salford against Widnes this weekend,  Paul Whiteside takes us through the action.

There was a real sense of expectation in the air before kick off at the AJ Bell stadium this afternoon. Salford got off to another flying start.

Ferocious defence rocked Widnes and you could see Salford once again meant business! 3 minutes on the clock and a sweeping move and quick hands sent Justin carney over in the corner Dobson kicked the goal 6-0. Two minutes later Salford burst down the middle and superb backing up from Mark Flanagan as he bravely crashed over under the posts. Dobson added the kick from under the sticks. 12-0.

Salford looked in complete control and the players hungry to get there hands on the ball. Twenty Five minutes on the clock and Michael Dobson came up with a pin point kick to the corner which saw Greg Johnson finish brilliantly. The kick fell just short in the gusting wind 16-0.

Widnes started to find there feet and made a good break down Salfords left Gareth o Brien tackled back superbly but was adjudged to hold down to long and was sin binned for a proffesional foul. For the next ten minutes Salford really toughed it out and dug in to keep there line intact. Ben Murdoch masila was denied a try for the second week running when it looked like he had pinched a one on one steal in the in goal area. Referee Phil Bentham harshly ruled it out.

It didn't take Salford long  Josh Griffin swooped over on 32 minutes. O brien kicked the goal from a difficult possession 22-0.
Rhys Hanbury eventually broke Salfords resistance after 36 minutes but couldn't convert 22-4. From the kick off Salford were very harshly penalised for being in front of the kick. Houston bursting through from the penalty and Widnes were back in the game. Half time 22-10.

Widnes started the second half very positively and it looked like the momentum was starting to swing there way when centre Stefan Marsh scored in the corner. Hanbury failed to convert 22-14.
The tension in the stands was becoming unbearable and when Thompson went over on 69 minutes after a mistake from O Brien following a kick through Hanbury added the extras and it looked like Widnes were going to complete a famous comeback victory. 22-20.

Salford really defended heroically Craig Kopzack came up with some massive plays in defence and Ben Murdoch Masila played his heart out for the full 80.
Five minutes left and the stadium erupted as Mark Flanagan scored and the fanatical Salford faithful breathed a huge sigh of relief. Dobson added the extras and Salford hung on to win 28-20.

This was a game maybe last season we wouldn't have got over the line but this seems a different Salford full of grit and determination and a certain attacking flair that was there for all to see.
Travelling to Wigan on Thursday night with a real belief we can get a result and that's something we probably haven't been able to say for a few years. The support again today was fantastic well done Ian Watson, Tim Sheens and all the players.