Match Detail

Salters continued their impressive start to the season away from home against Liberton United on Sunday. Manager Paul Milligan made a few changes to the starting eleven, bringing in Neil Wilson, Jon Weir and Stephen Brown. On a terrible pitch which resembled Arthur’s Seat, we didn’t start this game as well as we have done in recent weeks, however once we got into our stride it was quickly clear there was only ever going to be one winner on the day.

Liberton actually started better than Salters. We were defending up the hill with the sun in our eyes and Liberton continually pumped big long high balls at our back four.  The huge centre forward was holding the ball up well and they created a good chance, the forward going through and John Paget in goals producing a magnificent save. JP really has matured into the once of the best goalkeepers at our level, and is still improving as he gets more experience. This scare finally woke Salters up and we realised we were in a physical battle at times. We started to get the ball down more and play from the back. We created a few half chances and got the first goal of the game after a shot from Paul Milligan was blocked by the defender, Paul Nelson followed up to slot the ball in to the back post. Paul Nelson soon got his second of the game following up again to slot home. Salters third came after a pass from Paul Nelson was slid home by the returning Stephen Brown. Everyone at Salters was delighted to see Broonie on the score sheet after spell on the bench.  Salters had a few other chances as well, Paul Milligan had 3 shots cleared off the line, Danny Watson had a shot deflected just over, Neil Wilson and Paul Nelson also went through and were denied by Libertons outstanding player, their goalkeeper. However half time Salters 3-0 Liberton.

The second half was much more like the real Salters. From the very start we dominated the game and Liberton hardly got into the Salters half. We created many chances and played some lovely football. We went 4-0 up through Paul Nelson after the best move of the game. Playing the ball out from the back to Jon Weir, Jon played a pass to the chest of Paul Milligan who controlled the ball for Stephen Brown, Broonies first time pass split the defence for the on running Paul Nelson to volley home from 22 yards right in the corner. Brilliant team goal and amazing finishing by Paul Nelson for his hat trick! Salters were all over Liberton and Paul Milligan was next up to score, a through ball by Kris Murdoch sent him one on one with the goalkeeper, Paul slotted the ball home at the near post. Paul Milligan got his second soon after, chasing the ball over the top and lobbing the goal keeper from 20 yards. Paul Milligan then got his hat trick after a delightful lobbed through ball from Shane Thomson; Paul controlled and smashed the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs. Paul Milligan got his fourth of the game very late on, a long ball from Paul Nelson sent him clean through, and although the goalkeeper done well to get a hand on the shot, he couldn’t stop it hitting the net. There were 2 genuine penalty shouts for Salters as well in this half and we created several other decent chances. The Liberton goalkeeper at times was immense and very brave; otherwise the score would have been a lot higher.  Final score Salters 8-0 Liberton.

Liberton were not that bad a team, and perhaps had they spend at much time trying to play football as they did moaning at each other and threatening the Salters players they might be doing a lot better in the league. It was by no means Salters best performance; however we were still excellent all over the pitch. We did dominate the game after the first ten minutes and created many chances. JP was assured and brave as ever, the back four were excellent and got the ball down to play from the back, the midfield were awesome, working back and forward and playing some brilliant football and up front again the goals were well taken. Mikey Thomson was once again outstanding in central midfield and dominated this game, breaking up play, making crunching tackles, playing some brilliant passes and his overall performance made it look like he has played there all his life, brilliant big man.

So another eight goals, a clean sheet, some excellent football and of course the most important thing, the three points. The top of the table clash away to Foot Ball Club of Edinburgh next weekend should be some game!

Team: John Paget, Steven Illingworth, Jon Weir (Dani Muir), Michael Jones, Kris Murdoch, Neil Wilson (Richard Murray), Danny Watson, Mikey Thomson, Stephen Brown (Shane Thomson), Paul Nelson, Paul Milligan.