Match Detail

Salters faced a vastly improved Longstone United team in our first home game for four weeks knowing a win would put us back on top of the first division table. Having beat Longstone heavily in pre-season we knew they would be right up for the game to try and avoid another heavy defeat.

Salters started the match brilliantly, pressing the Longstone players all over the pitch, winning back the ball and creating many chances. We took the lead very early on. A Kris Murdoch free kick from the left back area was well defended by Longstone; however the headed clearance fell to Paul Milligan who hit it first time from 22 yards straight into the far top corner. The second Salters goal came after good closing down in centre midfield from Danny Watson who played Paul Milligan clean through on goal, Paul rolled the ball square to Paul Nelson who tapped home. Salters third came after a great quick pass from Shane Thomson sent Paul Milligan clean through on goal and he coolly slotted past the goalkeeper. Salters fourth was again a through ball to Paul Milligan from Danny Watson, Paul rounded the goalkeeper to roll the ball home for his hat trick. Michael Thomson was next on the score sheet, running clean through and smashing the ball in off the bar from 20 yards with a brilliant finish. Paul Milligan completed the Salters first half scoring, taking another through ball and again calmly slotting past the Longstone goalkeeper. Longstone did get a goal back, a long ball to the edge of the Salters box wasn’t dealt with and a penalty was given to make the score Salters 6-1 Longstone. Salters also had a goal ruled out for off side, several other decent chances for Danny Watson, Paul Nelson, Richard Murray and even Shane Thomson getting a couple of excellent efforts. The Longstone goalkeeper produced some magnificent saves to keep the score down. Half time Salters 6-1 Longstone.

Salters were guilty of taking their foot off the gas in the second half. We didn’t show the same urgency and determination as we did in the first half as we knew the game was already well won. We had many more chances but didn’t take advantage. To their credit Longstone competed well in the second half and got another goal back, very much a copy of the first Longstone goal. Salters got a seventh goal after Paul Milligan took advantage in the box and got his fifth of the game. Substitute Steven Duncan went through on three occasions and was unlucky not to score, Richard Murray and Paul Nelson went close and once again the Longstone goalkeeper impressed with some terrific saves. Full time Salters 7-2 Longstone.

Another three league points on the board for Salters and we sit top of the first division after five games. Having beat Longstone heavily in preseason we were never going to rack up the same score in the league, however we went about our business in a good manner, particularly in a magnificent opening 30 minute spell. Longstone have improved massively since that game in preseason and competed well.

With the exception of the farce at the Newton Heath game Salters have started this season extremely well and will look to build on this against Alba next week.

Best of luck to Longstone, they are a good bunch of lads who are improving all the time.

Team: John Paget, Steven Illingworth (Dani Muir), Michael Jones, Ryan Newton, Kris Murdoch, Richard Murray (Stephen Brown), Michael Thomson, Shane Thomson, Danny Watson, Paul Nelson (Steven Duncan), Paul Milligan. Sub not used, Paul Kivlin.