Match Detail

Another 4-4 draw against Newton Heath for Salters, this time at Easthouses on a truly shocking playing surface.

Another below par performance from a young Salters team against an experienced Newton Heath side who knocked the ball about well and played some decent football. However it was Salters who took the lead when a Paul Milligan shot slipped under the goalkeeper and over the line. Newton Heath equalised soon after with a free kick buried right in the top corner. Salters again went ahead when a David Jamieson free kick was palmed into the top corner by the goalkeeper.  Again Newton Heath equalised soon after.  Salters scored again when Stephen Crawford sent a ball over the top for Paul Milligan who lobbed the goalkeeper and walked the ball in to the net. Newton Heath scored twice to go 4-3 up and Salters were in danger of throwing another match away from a wining position. However deep in to injury time Paul Milligan chased a ball up the line, won the 50/50 turned inside from the by bye line beat another man and smashed the ball into the top corner to get a point for Salters.

There were a few other chances, the Newton Heath goalkeeper saved well from David Jamieson who also should have done better when he was clean through, Paul Milligan missed a good chance from 10 yards out and Stephen Crawford was unlucky when he attempted to clear the ball out of play and it came off his toe looped wildly in the wind and trickled off the post. Newton Heath had more than their fare share of chances, missing two sitters at the back post and having a few other efforts they should have done better with.

Newton Heath were the better side on the day. However the referee had a total disaster from start to finish and ruined the game, including sending a Salters player off for no reason.

We have drawn four league games from seven. We have taken the lead in 6 of these league games. Salters have now scored first and took the lead in 11 of the last 12 games and have only gone on to win 5 of the games. Had we defended better as a unit and kept our composure and concentration we would be at least second in the league and in a cup semi final. We MUST learn from this, and learn very quickly.

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