By Dave Lawrenson

Last updated 13:15, Friday, 25 April 2008

Salford City Reds 36 Whitehaven 10: Whitehaven coach Ged Stokes criticised his forward pack for ‘letting the side down’ following their disappointing defeat at Salford last night.

Ade Adebisi looks for support

The Cumbrian club came into the televised game brimming with confidence following impressive back-to-back wins over Celtic Crusaders and Lezignan.

And they looked more than capable of turning Salford over when they led the National League Two title favourites 2-0 after 28 minutes of play.

But despite having just four days to prepare for the game compared to Whitehaven’s six, the Richard Myler-inspired Reds went from strength to strength from then on in.

And Stokes laid the blame for Whitehaven’s demise firmly at the forwards’ door.

After the game he said: “We are a fantastic team when we are on the front foot. It was getting on the front foot that we had trouble with.

“I think that we have a very strong forward pack but they were very disjointed tonight.

“As a result, our half backs didn’t get the quality ball that they got in our previous two games.

“We made a good start to the game but we were unable to build on that. We just didn’t fire and Salford were able to wear us down. I am very disappointed with the result.”

Stokes was able to draw some comfort from the game, not least the fine individual performances of winger Ade Adebisi, centre Rob Jackson and substitute hooker Graeme Mattinson.

Karl Edmondson was the pick of the big men up front and Whitehaven created plenty of try scoring opportunities during the course of the game.

But their finishing let them down and the final scoreline flattered the home side.

It was a case of one in and one out at Whitehaven in the build up to the Salford match with ex-Rochdale captain Andy Gorski being signed in response to star second rower Richard Fletcher moving to Widnes.

Gorski, who along with Whitehaven full back Gary Broadbent is a former Salford player, took David Ford’s place on the bench.

Rob Jackson came in for Derry Eilbeck in the centres having recovered from an ankle injury and Carl Rudd switched from loose forward to replace Marc Bainbridge at half back.

Salford’s only change in personnel saw winger Daley Williams make his first appearance of the season in place of the axed Andy Ballard.

Their only player unavailable through injury was utility ace John Wilshere.

Whitehaven matched the Reds blow for blow early doors and they took the lead following a 10-minute purple patch midway through the first half when Rudd knocked over a penalty goal.

Gorski, who was one of Whitehaven’s better performers, was brought into the action on 26 minutes and he could have been sent to the sin bin seconds later.

He halted Myler with a dangerous high tackle and, in the next set of six, Salford’s talented young half back was touching down after scything through Whitehaven’s defence with a barnstorming close range run.

Myler weaved his magic again eight minutes later to put the Reds 12-2 ahead. His pace left Broadbent for dead after slick build up play between ex-New Zealand international Robbie Paul and Paul Highton.

Paul was the creator again as Salford extended their lead on 44 minutes. He sent Jordan Turner through a gap and skipper Malcolm Alker was on hand to finish the move off.

Whitehaven hit back eight minutes later with Craig Calvert scoring the 100th try of his career. He pounced on a Leroy Joe grubber kick to claim the landmark score.

But Myler was soon completing his hat-trick after being sent in the clear by good work from Paul and Mat Gardner.

Shocking defending from Whitehaven then enabled Stefan Ratchford to touch down his own up and under.

Howard Hill fended off a Salford defender to claim a consolation try on 74 minutes but the Reds had the final say with Paul White sending Gardner over the whitewash.

Match facts

Salford: Fitzpatrick; Williams, Littler, Gardner, White; Paul, Myler; Leuluai, Alker, Stapleton, Sibbit, Adamson, Turner. Subs used: Ratchford, Jewitt, Brocklehurst, Highton. Tries: Myler (3), Alker, Ratchford, Gardner. Goals: Turner 4/4, Ratchford 2/2.

Whitehaven: Broadbent; Calvert, Jackson, Makisi, Adebisi; Rudd, Joe; McDonald, Sice, Jackson, Miller, Hill, McAvoy. Subs used: Mattinson, Gorski, Fatialofa, Edmondson. Tries: Calvert, Hill. Goal: Rudd 1/3

Referee: Paul Hicks

Attendance: 3,252