Match Detail

Salters took on the in-form Football Club of Edinburgh in a rearranged cup match in terrible conditions. With the wind and rain howling down it was always going to be a battle to win this game.

The first half Salters had the wind against them. Despite this Salters were by far the better team, dominating nearly the whole first half and making several excellent chances. Passing the ball out from the back we played some good football which is amazing considering the conditions we were facing. Salters took the lead after Paul Milligan chased down the centre half and his sliding tackled sent the ball spinning across the area; as always Paul Nelson was first to react to slot home from a very narrow angle at the far post. FCOE got a goal back against the run of play, a good delivery to the back post was volleyed home right in the far top corner; stunning strike however it was very poor marking by Salters and a goal that we would not normally concede. Salters pressed on and should have taken the lead on several occasions. Paul Milligan shot straight at the goalkeeper from 16 yards, Danny Watson hit the cross bar after brilliant work down the left from Stephen Brown, Michael Jones send a free header over the bar from 5 yards and Richard Murray had an effort from 6 yards blocked well by the goalkeeper. This is just a few of the chances we created as we played some decent football and dominated, however we didnt take any of these chances and the half ended 1-1.

The second half started in the same manner, Salters pressing forward looking likely to get a goal. However it wouldn't come and FCOE came into the game for a 15 minute period and started looking dangerous. At this stage it looked like it might go to extra time as both teams huffed and puffed without any real clear cut chances. Danny Watson came closest for Salters, firing in a 25 yard shot the goalkeeper turned just round the post. FCOE however did get a goal, their outstanding midfielder was allowed to run unchallanged towards the box and as he attemped to chip John Paget in the Salters goal the ball deflected off the centre half and into the net. A little bit of luck, perhaps deserved for the attempt and vision of the player, however it was again a goal Salters would normally not let in as the attacker should have been closed down well before he got his shot away. With only 8 minutes left on the clock and Salters looking doomed to our first defeat of the season we were looking for some inspiration and leadership. Salters made three subs and changed formation at this point. We forced a corner and Paul Nelson swung it over, up rose Michael Jones to bury a header straight in the top corner. Brilliant header from the big centre half. Salters now threw everyone forward to get the winner, however FCOE hit us on the break and hit the post when it looked like the ball was going well in the net. Salters took the rebound off the post, broked down the other end and went on the attack. The ball found Paul Milligan 30 yards out, he turned and sent over a delightful cross for the on coming Paul Nelson who bulleted a header straight in the far corner. Salters players went crazy at this point celebrating like we had won the cup itself. Shorty after Salters broke away again, Neil Wilson picking up the ball from his half and running through to smash home Salters fourth goal of the game and seal the win.

Salters were the better team for most of this match and should have had the game won by half time. We played some good football at times and created a lot of chances. We did not let FCOE play, closing them down all over the pitch and not giving them a minutes peace. FCOE had only three real attempts at goal and it would have been horrible for Salters to lose this matach.

However the most impressive thing to come from this match is the determination of the Salters team not to be beaten. With 8 minutes left on the clock a lot of teams might have given up, however the whole team stood strong together and there was a real sense of us being a proper team. There were many leaders on the park in those closing moments that got us over the finishing line.

Salters man of the match was Stephen Brown who harassed the FCOE midfield for 90 minutes, not giving them a moments peace and when he got his foot on the ball he produced a lot of quality. And again, as always, Paul Nelson at the other end of the park came up with the goods, 2 goals and 1 assist this week for Nelly.

Scottish Cup away day next Sunday for Salters, what a day thats going to be!