Match Detail

Salters earned a narrow but thoroughly deserved win against local rivals Dalkeith Town at Gorebridge.

The first half was a typically tight affair between the two teams. A new Salters back four coped extremely well with the Dalkeith pressure and there wasn’t really much danger to the Salters goal. Salters looked dangerous going forward particularly down our left hand side as Paul Nelson and Darren Smith combined well. The best chances fell to Salters; the first coming to Paul Nelson who headed wide after an excellent cross from Mikey Thomson wide on the right wing. Next Paul Milligan curled a 20 yard free kick over the wall and off the cross bar, the ball bounced in the 6 yard line right in between the two Salters attackers and was cleared to safety, very unlucky for Salters. Corners and free kicks were about as close as both teams came to scoring the defences came out on top. The running from midfield of Stephen Brown linking up with Richard Murray always looked dangerous. Combined with the excellent wing play from Paul Nelson and Mikey Thomson, Salters were playing some decent football and slightly edged the first half. However it ended 0-0.

Dalkeith are not joint top of the league by luck and they showed for a spell in the second half why they are in this lofty position. For a 15 minute period Dalkeith kept the pressure on Salters through corners and crosses. However apart from one easy save John Paget in goals didn’t have a lot to do. Salters could have scored the opener when Paul Milligan played Paul Nelson clean through on goal. Nelly had all the time and space in the world and is usually deadly in this position. However he got caught in two minds and lobbed the ball wide of goal. Good play though from Salters and unlucky not to take the lead.

Dalkeith did take the lead not long after through a set piece. The corner was swung in and half cleared, when it came back into the box the Dalkeith player handled the ball before turning and scoring from 6 yards. The Dalkeith team celebrated like they had won the league. It was a tough blow to Salters; however with 17 players all inside the penalty area the referee was unable to see the handball. This just rallied Salters and we took control of the game. We were passing the ball well and took the game to Dalkeith. Again Paul Nelson headed just over after another excellent cross from Mikey Thomson. Salters were well on top and got the equaliser we deserved through Mikey Thomson. Corner swung in from Paul Nelson to the back post, Mikey rose to head goal wards. The ball was blocked on the line however Mikey reacted quickest to tap home. It was a well deserved goal for the big man who was outstanding for the whole second half. Salters continued to push forward and the manager Paul Milligan’s words to his players “to be brave” paid off. In injury time Stephen Brown won the ball in centre midfield, charged forward and sprayed a pass out wide left to Darren Smith. Smithy beat his full back and delivered a perfect cross for substitute Paul Kivlin to tap home from 6 yards with his first touch of the ball.

Cue the celebrations!!

Well done Salters, a well deserved victory and an excellent team performance.

Team: John Paget, Kris Murdoch (Ryan Ramsay), Jon Weir, Michael Jones, Darren Smith, Mikey Thomson, Shane Thomson, Stephen Brown, Paul Nelson (Ryan Newton), Paul Milligan, Richard Murray (Paul Kivlin).