Match Detail

Salters made several changes to the squad for Sunday’s home tie against Boca Seniors in the KC Cup.  Several new players made there debut including John Paget in goals, Stephen Crawford in defence, Stephen Brown in Midfield and Jonathan Main in attack. A change in formation also seemed to work for Salters as the performance was much improved from recent weeks and in the end we were unlucky not to win the match.

Salters were the better team in the first half of the game. Passing the ball well through midfield and shutting Boca down when they had possession. We created a few chances and might have scored; Paul Nelson in particular forced an amazing save from the Boca goalkeeper. Boca also had chances and played some decent football. Boca went 1-0 up from a set piece. The corner was swung in from the left and Ryan Newton in a last gasp effort to clear the danger headed into his own net. It was an unfortunate goal to loose and there was nothing Ryan could have done to stop it. 1-0 at half time was harsh on Salters.

The second half started much the same way. Both teams trying to pass the ball and play football. However the game was beginning to open up as Salters pushed for a goal. Finally we got the equaliser as Paul Milligan picked up a loose ball inside the box and his shot took a deflection and went in to the far corner.  Salters were now looking for the winner and had a chance when we were awarded a free kick. On the angle, 25 yards out, Paul Nelson stepped up and blasted an unstoppable shot right in to the top corner and in off the bar. A brilliant strike and Salters were now 2-1 up.  Boca rallied and came right back in to the game. They were looking dangerous and attacking at every chance. They equalised with a stunning goal from the centre forward, the first of his 5 goals.  The ball dropped on the half volley 25 yards out on the angle and he hit it first time into the top corner. Another top notch goal and the game was again level at 2-2. Both teams had a couple of chances but it finished 2-2 at 90 mins.

Extra time started and both teams went all out for the vital 5th goal. Unfortunately for Salters Boca got the goal and really that killed the game off. Salters had to throw everything forward with only 20 mins of extra time left and we were undone on the counter attack as the Boca forward finished every chance he had to make it 6-2 in the end. It could have been different had the Boca goalkeeper not pulled off and amazing save once more, this time from Jonathan Main, when Salters were still in the match.

6-2 was very harsh on Salters. We matched Boca for 100 mins but in the end Boca got the vital 5th goal and went on to win the match.  However Salters can hold there heads high and be proud of the performance, on another day we may well have won this match.

Best of luck to Boca in the cup and for the rest of the season.

Team:  John Paget, Mikey Thomson, Stephen Crawford, Ryan Newton, Darren Smith, Stephen Brown (David Jamieson), Shane Thomson (Kris Murdoch), Paul Milligan, Kenny Adams, Paul Nelson (Jonathan Main), Richard Murray. Subs not used:  Dani Muir, Jon Weir. (Subs in brackets)