Injury worries add to Salford woe

James Gordon

It was a miserable first game at their new stadium for Salford, as they were soundly beaten 36-12 by Championship side Leigh, and picked up a couple of injuries in the process.

New signing Shannan McPherson limped off with an ankle injury, while winger Jodie Broughton went off with a groin problem in the Reds’ first hit out under new coach Phil Veivers.

For many of the 2818 fans in attendance, it was not the opening to the new Salford City Stadium that they wanted, and the Reds will be looking to bounce back on Sunday, when they host Halifax, coached by former Reds chief Karl Harrison.

Veivers told the club’s official website: “I didn’t see that coming. You can’t expect to get a win with a performance like that and it’s given myself and the boys a lot to think about in the next weeks up to the start of the season. We made mistake after mistake and made it easy for them. We know that has to change.”