“Utter…” – St Helens legend fumes about controversial red card

In a historic moment for Salford Red Devils, they defeated St Helens to claim their first win away at St Helens since 1980.

On a famous, for Paul Rowley’s side, Deon Cross scored a 75th minute winner to complete a stunning comeback at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

St Helens struck first. Jonny Lomax moved the ball right and Jack Welsby sold a dummy to find some space and slide over in the right corner.

Then, Saints went coast-to-coast, with Sione Mata’utia piercing a gap and flicking the ball to Lewis Dodd, who raced away in open field into the left corner.

Salford got back in the game when Ryan Brierley sent Cross into the corner with a lovely cut-out pass.

Saints scored another just before half-time, with Lomax again the man to send through his teammate – this time Percival – to stroll under the sticks.

The Red Devils came out for the second half with an eight-point deficit, but were given a huge boost when Percival saw red for a high shot on Jack Ormondroyd.

However, Paul Wellens’ side were next on the board following a highly controversial moment.

However, Dodd would extend St Helens’ lead spotting a gap to score his second of the evening.

Salford hit back however. A well-worked move saw Lafai set the platform for our next attack with a bustling run.

Working it right, Nene Macdonald managed to spin away from his man to ground and score his second in a Salford shirt. Sneyd – who was again, perfect from the boot – added the extras from out wide.

The momentum was really with Salford and Atkin darted bravely through the Saints middle to cut the deficit and set-up a grandstand finish.

In amongst all the tension, Tim Lafai produced a moment of pure brilliance; receiving a pass with one hand before flicking the ball out the back with the other, sending Cross over for his second of the night.

St Helens legend furious with red card

The decision to send off Percival was contentious among Saints fans in itself but a potential missed obstruction call was another that upset fans of the Red Vee.

One former player even took to social media to share their disbelief at the red card. John Stankevitch made over 125 appearances for St Helens and he posted on X about the state of the game.

Reacting to Percival’s red card, he argued: Red card. What a total and utter embarrassment @TheRFL. Just can’t believe what I’m watching anymore. Wow. We can’t just stay silent anymore surely.”

Red card. What a total and utter embarrassment @TheRFL. Just can’t believe what I’m watching anymore. Wow. We can’t just stay silent anymore surely.

— John Stankevitch (@johnstankevitch) March 8, 2024