Match Detail

Salters were up against bottom of the table Duddingston Athletic at Poltonhall knowing we would be in for a difficult match. Having failed to get the better of Duddy for a long time it was always going to be a battle to get the three points. In the end we left it very late to get the three points, however any win against Duddy is a good win for Salters. It was a tough battle and the win came at a price, injuries to Captain Steven Illingworth and forward Paul Milligan look likely to mean both players miss the Scottish Cup tie next weekend, results of x-rays to find the extent of the damage are due back soon.

Salters had a few changes from last week, Daniel Muir and Steven Faughnan were missing from last week and Niall Malone came in for his first start in many weeks at left back, Kris Murdoch moved to right back. Kevin Cornwall returned to the squad from injury.

Salters started brightly, Paul Nelson and Blair Mathewson causing problems for the Duddy defence. We took the lead after good built up saw Paul Milligan play Blair Mathewson in on the right wing, Blairs shot deflected in past the goalkeeper at the back post. After the first ten minutes of pressure for some reason Salters sat back and Duddy then dominated the game. A series of huge throws from the Duddy number 4 from all over the Salters half were reaching and Salters 6 yard line and Duddy threw several corners and free kicks right in on top of the Salters defence. We defended this extremely well and in difficult circumstances we held out for long periods. However Duddy got a deserved equaliser, the forward cutting in from the left hand side and getting to the ball before Ryan Newton who fouled him: the big centre forward made no mistake from the spot. Salters woke up and started to play and we got back in front towards the end of the first half, Blair Mathewsons excellent delivery found Paul Nelson in the centre of the box to bullet home a header. Duddy got another goal back, John Tams picking the ball up 40 yards out and rocketing and unstoppable volley right into the roof of the net, nothing anyone could do about a strike of this quality. Salters had a very strong penalty claim turned down, the goalkeeper pulling Paul Milligan to the ground in the box, however the referee decided it wasn’t a foul. The half ended 2-2 but Duddy were the better of the two teams.

Salters were going down the slope with the sun behind us now and it was a much better half from the home team although we never really played at our best. We battled better and won more 50/50s all over the park. We created a couple of good chances and went back in front from a corner, Paul Milligan rising at the back post to head home a great Paul Nelson corner. Paul Milligan had another chance, however a heavy touch took the ball to far and the goalkeeper got out well to save. Duddy didn’t have many chances in the second half; however they did get back level for the third time. The big centre midfielder who played really well hit a rocket of a volley from 20 yards low into the inside of the right post, another top drawer strike. With 90 minutes gone and deep in to injury time Salters went for it. We got a winner with virtually the last kick of the ball, Paul Nelson beating a man on the left wing and then from the half way line right out against the touchline he bent an inch perfect curling pass behind the Duddy defence for Paul Milligan to latch onto 20 yards out, Paul hit it first time past the goalkeeper and right into the far corner of the net. Final score Salters 4-3 Duddy.

Salters were delighted to get out of this with three points. We always struggle against Duddy and there is no doubt that for the first half Duddy were by far the better of the two teams. The second half was much better and Salters could have had the game won before they did. However as Salters discussed before the game we have to battle our way through this match and do whatever it took to get three points. It’s very hard to understand how Duddy are bottom of the table. In the two league meetings between the sides this season they have played as well against us as any team we have faced and must surely have enough quality to climb up the league. Salters are now looking at injuries to two key players who both might have broken bones in their right foot and David Jamieson is now suspended for the next two matches.

Best of luck to Duddy for the rest of the season.

Final word though to Salters. We sit at the top of the Premier League table nearly half way through the season. And although no one a the club thinks we will win it, we are all totally delighted to be there, even if it is just for one week until Redhall return to league action next week. Well done everyone.

John Paget, Kris Murdoch, Steven Illingworth (Kevin Cornwall), Ryan Newton, Niall Malone (Darren Smith), Blair Mathewson, Stephen Brown, Michael Jones, David Jamieson (Kevin Robinson), Paul Nelson, Paul Milligan.