Match Detail

Salters began our first ever Premier League campaign at home against bitter rivals Dalkeith Town looking to get off to a good start. These local derby games are always a battle and are usually very tight games with only one goal separating the teams on every occasion we have met in the past. However this was to be Salters day as we secured a comfortable and much deserved victory.

Both teams started the game looking a bit nervous. There were a few stray passes and not a lot of composure early on but plenty of fight and grit from both teams. Salters were against the wind with the sun in our eyes which wasn’t easy to deal with, however we defended extremely well. The first chance fell to Salters. A throw from Kris Murdoch landed at the feet of Paul Milligan who turned and shot, however the Dalkeith goalkeeper produced a top drawer save to keep the ball out. The next chance again fell to Salters, this time an inch perfect pass from David Jamieson sent Paul Nelson through, however again the goalkeeper was brave and produced another great save to keep the ball out. Dalkeith had their fair share of possession without really testing John Paget in the Salters goal, although the big keeper had to be alert to tip over a misplaced cross. The opener from Salters came after good work down the left hand side from Niall Malone and Paul Nelson sent Paul Milligan through, Paul advanced from the half way line and placed his shot from the edge of the box past the goalkeeper and into the far corner. Dalkeith then came back into the game and had their best spell of the match for 10 minutes leading up to half time. Salters gave away several stupid free kicks and set plays and after two or three attempts a decent delivery caused a scramble and the big centre half reacted first to smash the ball home from inside the 6 yard box. There was a few late tackles and off the ball stuff from both teams and at one point it threatened to boil over, however great credit to the referee and both teams for keeping calm. The half time score was Salters 1-1 Dalkeith Town.

The second half belonged almost entirely to Salters. We got back in front after a back pass to the goalkeeper was slightly short and Paul Milligan put him under pressure forcing a mistake, Paul robbed him and walked the ball into the net. Harsh on the goalkeeper and it didn’t get much better for him. Soon after another difficult back pass was again chased down by Paul Milligan and this time he read the goalkeepers pass out and intercepted it before coolly slotting the ball home from a tough angle to seal his hat trick. Paul got his fourth goal of the game later on, after a ball over the top bounced 22 yards out and with his left foot he volleyed the ball in to the net low and hard leaving the goalkeeper no chance. At 5-1 up Salters were coasting. However Dalkeith got a late consolation after a good driving run and then finish down the right hand side from the right back, who was probably Dalkeiths best player on the day. Apart from the goal Dalkeith didn’t really force a single save from JP in goals second half.

This was a great start to the season for Salters. We needed to start well as a new team in the league and we done it. Neither team really played their best football however every player on the pitch gave 110% and the three points are the most important thing. Salters looked solid all over the pitch. John Paget in goals was assured and confident. The defence dealt with countless long balls and won everything on the ground and in the air. The midfield were simply brilliant and gave the whole team the strength and leadership we were desperate for and we created and took the chances up front. For the second game in a row Michael Jones was the main man for Salters, producing a quite awesome display. He summed it all up in the last minute, when despite being battered from all angles by 4 Dalkeith players he kept his head, battled through it and came out with the ball at his feet and a big grin on his face, brilliant again Jonesy!

On Tuesday night Salters face the enormous task of taking on the champions, Redhall Star. What a test this will be for us and we will have to again raise the performance level to compete. However one things for sure; Salters will be right up for this one.

Team: John Paget, Kevin Cornwall (Daniel Muir), Steven Illingworth, Ryan Newton, Niall Malone, Kris Murdoch (Blair Mathewson), Stephen Brown (Shane Thomson), Michael Jones, David Jamieson, Paul Nelson, Paul Milligan. Subs not used: Steven Duncan, Stephen Faughnan.