Match Detail

Salters rounded up their preseason preparations against an excellent Newtongrange team from the Abbey Pub. We were expecting a very tough match and that’s how it turned out, however an impressive display from the Salters lads gave us an excellent 4-1 victory.

For the first time this preseason Salters were able to pick from a decent squad with several players returning from injury or holiday. The opposition were a team filled with players with lots of experience at Junior and senior level who were all comfortable on the ball and showed some brilliant touches and passing movement.

A change in personnel and formation seamed to work well for Salters. The returning Stephen Brown and David Jamieson impressed in the middle of the park alongside the outstanding Michael Jones. We looked solid at the back and JP in goals was rarely troubled. The Abbey wingers were causing some problems, particularly down our left hand side were they got in behind on a few occasion. However they didn’t really create any real chances and JP didn’t have a save to make first half. Play was pretty even early on until Salters got the breakthrough. A loose ball was picked up fully 40 yards out by Paul Nelson who with the outside of his left boot shot first time and smashed the ball in off the bar leaving the goalkeeper helpless. It was a certain candidate for goal of the season! Salters got a second soon after, Michael Jones breaking from the back passed to Paul Milligan who turned the defender and sent a long diagonal ball over the top to the oncoming Paul Nelson; Nelly took his touch in to the box and was folded by the defender. He stepped up himself to take the penalty which was saved by the goalkeeper, however David Jamieson was first to react and slot home the rebound.  Salters third came after a good ball out from Niall Malone left Paul Milligan one on one with the centre half, after nut megging the defender Paul kept his composure to beat the keeper and send him the wrong way. There were other chances, Stephen Brown squared a pass to Paul Milligan which was slightly over hit and would have been a tap into an empty goal. Paul Milligan headed over when unmarked from a corner and David Jamison went though on goal and unleashed a brilliant shot which unfortunately hit the post and stayed out. The opposition had plenty of the ball and passed it well all over the pitch, however Salters were brilliant defensively and we ended the half 3-0 up.

Only one change was made a half time as Salters looked to ensure we didn’t concede an early goal with Calum Ewart coming on to replace JP in goals. The second half was a much tighter affair, both teams having a couple of long range efforts that the goalkeepers managed to deal with well. Good work down the right hand side from Blair Mathewson lead to Salters fourth goal. Blair’s good delivery into the box hit the defender and fell kindly to Paul Milligan who calmly slotted the ball home into the near post. At this stage Salters made mass substitutions, ensuring that all 17 players got a good run out ahead of the season opener. A debut for trialist Martin looked promising and all 6 subs contributed to the match. Abbey managed to get a goal back with 25 minutes left, a lovely chipped finish from the forward left Calum with no chance in goal. Abbey had a good period of pressure, although again Salters defended well and Calum had a couple of decent saves from long range efforts. Steven Duncan had a chance late on after excellent work from Dani Muir and Blair Mathewson, however a brilliant late block from the defender stopped Steven from his goal. The full time score was Salters 4-1 Abbey.

This was exactly what Salters needed ahead of Sundays tough opener against Dalkeith Town. The opposition were a very good team and the experience and quality they showed at times was brilliant. However Salters were also brilliant at times. We were strong at the back, got stuck in and played some excellent football in midfield and always looked likely to create chances up front. There were many good performances particularly from Ryan Newton, Steven Illingworth, David Jamieson, Paul Nelson and Kris Murdoch. However Salters centre midfielder Michael Jones was the best player on the pitch, working tirelessly for the team. He shut down the threat of the brilliant number 17, won headers, tackles, passed the ball well and covered every inch of the pitch. Well done Jones.

Sunday will be another matter all together. A local derby against Dulcet Town who have Premier League experience and are always up for these games. It will be a very tight and tough match; however Salters can go into it quietly confident we can get a positive result.

Team: John Paget (Calum Ewart), Kevin Cornwall (Dani Muir), Steven Illingworth, Ryan Newton, Niall Malone, Kris Murdoch (Blair Mathewson, Stephen Brown (Shane Thomson), David Jamieson (Trialist), Michael Jones, Paul Nelson (Steven Faughnan), Paul Milligan (Steven Duncan).