Both Wigan and Salford went into this match in great form so I was expecting a close game, as it was earlier in the season at Wigan, and I was not disappointed.
Salford made two changes from the team that defeated Wakefield last time out, with winger Justin Carney returning from suspension to replace the injured Niall Evalds, while Vidot moved to full-back and Jake Bibby came in on the wing. The Warriors made one change following their win over Castleford, with John Bateman missing out, meaning Greg Burke started in the second row while Joe Bretherton moved to the bench.
Both teams had chances to score early on, with Carney going close for Salford and Sam Powell having one ruled out for Wigan, before the visitors took the lead after eight minutes. George Williams put a kick through behind Carney, and Charnley was on hand to touch down. Smith was off target as Wigan led 4-0.
A half break from Carney got the home crowd excited and they almost had something to celebrate but Junior Sa'u was brought down by Charnley and Sam Tomkins five metres short. Wigan did well to prevent the Red Devils from scoring as Powell and Burke were both being treated for head injuries and were led off the field for tests.
Salford levelled in the 18th minute after a number of kicks caused problems in Wigan's back line. Robert Lui's high kick caused problems and Bibby kept calm and collected the loose ball before putting a kick through of his own. It should have been dealt with by Dom Manfredi and Oliver Gildart but was not, and Dobson was on hand to touch down in the corner.
Salford took the lead in the 26th minute when Sam Tomkins failed to collect a Lui bomb, and Craig Kopczak was on hand to break clear and send Dobson away for his second try. The former Wigan scrum-half converted for a 10-4 lead.
The Warriors were looking out of sorts and could have been further behind but Dobson pulled a penalty attempt wide. The 25-metre dropout was a monster one from Smith and it went dead giving Wigan the ball back, allowing the Warriors to launch an attack and Williams' kick was collected by Sutton who touched down. Smith converted to level it up at 10-10 and added a one-pointer right on half-time to put Wigan back in front.
Wigan had the first real attack of the second half with a scrum ten metres from Salford's line, but a knock-on from Taulima Tautai saw that chance go begging. Wigan were being tested in defence with Sam Tomkins coming up with an important hit on Kopczak, before brother Logan Tomkins was denied a try for a double movement.
That let-off revitalised the Warriors and they immediately forced a third drop-out from the Red Devils and took full advantage, Smith and Dan Sarginson combining down the left to send Charnley over for his second of the night. Smith was off target but Wigan now led 15-10. Wigan were the better team and looked the more likely to extend their lead with Williams once again pulling the strings. A rare mistake from Carney put Wigan in a great attacking position, and a penalty for a high tackle on Smith saw the scrum-half extend the visitors' lead to seven.
Wigan then put the game to bed in the 64th minute with Charnley grabbing his hat-trick try. The move was started with a great run from Sutton, and he offloaded to Smith who took the play to the left, with Sarginson once again feeding Charnley. Smith converted as Wigan led 23-10.
Salford refused to lie down and they pushed Wigan all the way in the final seven minutes, first when Jones stormed onto a short pass to score, before Vidot set up a tense finish by going over in the corner. Lui converted just one of the tries, leaving the deficit at three points.
Not for the first time this season goal kicks let Salford down. We need a world class kicker if we are to move on; it is the difference between being a good team and a great team.
After the game I spoke with Nathan Archer from Lower Broughton... "Gutted with that result pal. Decision making was dreadful. Taking two and missing it when they were on the back foot and kicking the high ball to Tomkins at least five times, and each time he had no trouble catching the ball."
He was very upset we had come so close. I personally thought it was a great game and although kicks cost us at least a point, a good team never gives up, and the lads fought right to the end...
Main photo: Salford legend Malc Alker before the game
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