Match Detail

Salters crashed out of the Scottish cup against a much fancied Centuar side from the Glasgow Premier League.

Centuar are considered to be one of the favourites to win the tournament and are currently top of the league. Despite going out Salters can hold their heads high and battled well for 90 minutes. In particular the first half was a good performance and we more than matched the opposition.

Salters made a few changes to the team. Kevin Cornwall and Niall Malone came in at full back and Shane Thomson came in for his first start in 2 months. Centuar started brightly and passed the ball well causing Salters a few problems without really creating a goal scoring chance. They took the lead after the centre midfielder slipped a ball in to the box and the striker fired past John Paget from 12 yards. Salters then woke up and started to play. We got a goal back after a good ball in to the box wasn’t cleared; Paul Milligan stole the ball from the defender and volleyed it right into the top corner. Salters had another couple of decent efforts, the goalkeeper saving well from a Paul Milligan shot and coming out to foil Paul Nelson who was clean through. A great ball from out wide by Blair Mathewson was met full on the volley by Paul Nelson at the back post but Nelly shot high and wide. Play went from end to end and both teams were looking to get ahead. Centuar got he next goal however, a mistake by John Paget from a corner left the forward with a tap in from 3 yards. At this point the game changed, Blair Mathewson was sent off for failing to retreat 2.15 yards from a throw in and referee was desperate to send him off, the softest worst most unbelievable sending off anyone will ever see at any level of football, and it’s a shame as it really spoiled what was a very good game of football. With 10 men Salters battled away, however Centuar got another goal and went in 3-1 at half time.

The second half was mostly possession for the home side as they worked the ball and kept Salters running. However we never gave up running and kept going right to the final whistle. We chased everything and never gave up. Centuar passed the ball well and their movement was superb. They went further ahead late in the game, by this point the game was over and all Salters had to play for was pride. Injuries forced off Paul Milligan and Paul Nelson leaving us with an unfamiliar looking team, however the subs got stuck in and were superb in working away and keeping going.

Salters can be proud of our efforts and were a little unlucky in the end. The first half was a very good performance against a team that is full of class and talent. We defended well, got stuck in and made some chances of our own. However Centuar deserved to win the game and played very well. Best of luck to them in the next round, we all hope they do now go on and win the tournament.

After the match it was back to the pub for some banter and a pint. It was a great atmosphere and we would like to thank Rab and everyone at the pub for having us.

A special thanks to our centre half and vice Captain Ryan Newton who has decided to leave the club. In his last performance he showed everything that has made him such a massive player for us over the years, commanding, strong, aggressive and his sheer will to win will be sorely missed by everyone at the club.

All in all we gave it our best shot and everyone can be very proud of themselves today. We all worked 110% and the manager could not have asked for anything more from anyone.

A free week and our xmas night out next weekend, it should be a great night and the rest is well deserved.

Team: John Paget, Kevin Cornwall, Ryan Newton, Steven Illingworth, Niall Malone (Darren Smith), Blair Mathewson, Michael Jones, Shane Thomson, Stephen Brown, Paul Nelson (Kris Murdoch), Paul Milligan (Steven Faughnan). Sub not used: Dani Muir.