Lionesses 14 Red Devils 0
Salford Red Devils Ladies fell short of their aim to redress their loss to the Lionesses in the Shield Final, last month, in last Sunday’s away fixture at Heywood Road.
The Salford players had been eager to get another chance to overcome the team which had thwarted their hopes of lifting the silverware, after they had done so well in the earlier rounds to get there.
Their hopes were dashed, however, on the back of a quite disappointing performance, with ball in hand. If anyone ever has any doubts about the importance of completing their sets, this game exemplified that, with the Reds squandering possession far more frequently than was good for them, through mis-timings of passes, overly ambitious off-loads, loose carries, and decision-making.
That was far from the case in the opening period, however, with the Red Devils pinning their hosts down in their own twenty metre area for the first six to seven minutes, as they launched attack after attack in their endeavours to take the lead, and coming close to do so on two or three occasions.
The game, however, turned in the twelfth minute, when Swinton turned defence into attack. One of the reasons the visitors had been defeated in the Shield Final, was their prowess on the wings where their pace and strength was quite significant, and it was that same asset, which saw a breakaway try down the left flank and the ball being grounded under the posts.
It was a setback which was to prove to be critical, as, try as they might, whilst the Salford players were able to match their hosts for lengthy periods, they were unable to get on top of them, and the Lionesses went further ahead, benefitting from a number of consecutive penalties they were awarded, setting themselves up for a sustained period of pressure, which eventually took them into a ten-point lead.
If their attacking skills were somewhat below par, the same could not be said of the Salford defence which, thankfully, was absolutely outstanding. It had to be, for without it, Swinton had so much possession they could have scored even more, and all the Salford players should be proud of their contributions in this direction.
As it was the Lionesses had to be content with one, and one only, further score, in the 44th minute, to complete their tally at 14-0, while the Red Devils were sufficiently adept at building good position with strong forward drives taking them up-field to the Swinton line.
The forwards, in this respect were magnificent, with Maddie Price and Megan Bragg leading the way. Steph Gray, who is clearly adapting well to her move from the wing into the forwards, was also most reliable in both attack and defence, while left winger Lily Gray, who had distinguished herself so valiantly with her tiger-like tackling in the Final, continued, once again, in similar vein again.
Whilst the continued absence of fullback, Anna Dennis, following an injury in said final, deprived the side of some of its strike power, the team has acquired a most able and reliable replacement, in Cailey Miller.
Her willingness to take hit ups, at any opportunity, and to good effect, was noticeable throughout the game and she caused her former team a considerable amount of trouble.
All things considered, therefore, there was much for the players to be pleased about but, if there is one lesson to be learned from this game it is completion – completion – completion. With their first home fixture after several weeks, against Hull, this coming Sunday (KO 12.00), they will have immediate opportunity to put this right.
SALFORD
Cailey Miller, Lauren Ellison, Caitlin Washington, Alex Simpson, Lily Gray, Louise Fellingham, Ellie Costello, Kayleigh Bradshaw, Holly Waddington, Megan Bragg, Stephanie Gray, Jadine McVernon, Maddison Price
Interchanges:
Tamzin Corcoran, Bethany Cox, Emily Bagguley, Lydia Egan.
18th Player: Summer Harris
