Salford City Reds endured a miserable start to life at their new Barton base as they were outclassed 36-12 by Championship side Leigh.
The Reds looked rusty in their first game at the Salford City Stadium, against a side also playing their first friendly and still to appoint their new coach.
The Centurions led 18-6 at half-time and it got little better after the break for Salford, as the visitors finished with seven tries to
the Reds' two.
The warning signs were there when ex-Red Dean McGilvray crossed on Leigh's left for an early opener.
And although the Reds edged in front through a converted Danny Williams try, they then lost new signing Shannan McPherson to injury.
Leigh attacked Salford's right-hand defence in the 23rd minute, with Martin Ridyard finding Matt Gardiner, who spun out of a couple of
tackles to touch down.
Four minutes later, Salford's right was exposed again, and this time Gardiner just had to stroll over to make it 12-6.
Sean Gleeson might have cut the deficit if Holdsworth's pass wide wasn't too high.
And Leigh managed to stretch their lead right before the half-time hooter as Greg McNally fed Jonathan Pownall, who held off Jodie
Broughton to score in the corner.
Ridyard made possibly the toughest of his four conversion attempts in the first half to nudge Leigh into an 18-6 lead.
Salford failed to respond immediately after the break, with Ryan Brierley and Ridyard combining to put McNally through in the 51st
minute. The Leigh full-back then passed inside for Brierley to finish off the try of the match.
Salford improved slightly to put some pressure on the Leigh line, Ashley Gibson sending Williams over after a break down the right.
But they couldn't maintain that, and McNally's converted try in the 69th minute made it 30-12, before Brierley claimed a breakaway try at
the death.
What do you think? Have your say.
Salford Reds suffer starting shocker at Barton
January 07, 2012
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Ugh with a capital "ug" Torred
oakesey/droylsden red.nothing new 54 years and still waiting for something,a little effort and commitment would be a start.inept and totally embarresing for another small turnout,will not be wasting my pension on next two games.pity i have already wasted money on season tickets any offers welcome !
hfgfch
oakesey,droylsden red.so disapointed yet again,54 years i have waited for all the promises to come to something.a little effort and determination would be something.today we made a good leigh side look like world champions.totally inept in defence and to many mistakes in attack.i wont be wasting my pension on the next two games.unfortunatly i have already paid for two season tickets any offers.this really is the end not the start of my season.
Great Start fear for upcoming season
Remind me please. Why Parish did a runner??
different season same old s---e when are they going to learn to play there wings and not try and go down the middle on a number of occasions this afternoon they broke away with the line begging for the winger to explot but what did they do same as always and played it down the middle if they are going to do that then they are going to have to get some bloody big strong forwards god help us next sunday and tuesday wigan will have a feild day
Here we go again is it ? - only a friendly, first run out of the season, blah blah blah - at the end of the day you can only comment on the performance and that from what i am told was once again shocking ( i did not go and will not go until there is something half decent on the grass and players that have a bit of pride in the shirt ) okay there may have been a couple of players out that you would say were 1st team players but still the telling factor again from what i was told by quite a few people, was one key word DESIRE, and the Leighthers quite simply had more of it and to me that is once again shocking. If you cant " get up " for the first competitive game at your new home whether it be a friendly or not, then there is something drastically wrong - but there again Matt Parish did say that " if they think that moving to a new stadium is the solver to all the problems they are sadly deluded" maybe just maybe he was right. Nice new stadium from what im told but same fodder on the meadow, hardly a recipe for any succes is it !.
Would sooner have a ride down the east Lancs and watch Leigh or Swinton and at least watch teams that have a go with a bit of pride for my fix of the " greatest game".
Same results different venue! We are nearer Irlam tip though any volunteer's?
Nice view of the flyover though!
Just read an article in the sunday mirror by sean long saying he willing to put on his boots again if required(injuries etc) please sean forget injuries get them out asap i feel we will be not making the playoffs yet again cant remember when leigh last beat us so much for new beginning!
As a Leigh fan I'm excited that we're capable of demolishing any Super League side, no matter how poor they are. Salford have so many advantages over Leigh (head coach in place, full-time players benefitting from superior strength and fitness, stable finances & the benefit of playing in the top flight for a number of seasons).
For Leigh to keep it competitive would have been a moral win, but to demolish Salford on their own patch on the opening of their new stadium is nothing short of magnificent.
I'm hoping that the result says more about the quality of the Centurions rather than the lack of quality from Salford.
Its was just a friendly, but still a great result as class always shows in Rugby League.
Hang in there, only early days.
Ozzy Red
when is john wilkinson going to realise that simms must go? Simms is director of rugby and has such has been a disaster. John if Simms doesn't go Salford will eventually go. I have watched Salford since 1945 and my father watched Salford before they moved to the Willows. If Simms doesn't go it will be the same mistake as the refusal to move grounds in the '1970's. John do not let loyalty to individuals put the future of the club at risk.
Didn't expect anything from Salford against Leigh been a season ticket holder for 19 years and we ain't improved the squad in any area of the pitch good players left the club and no decent ones in think it's bottom all season and can only see a couple of wins at best if anyone can tell me were we have improved our squad please do