Match Detail

Boca grabbed the three points against Salters to climb above us in the league and into pole position in the race for the league title. In a game of little genuine quality it was a tough battle and Boca just had enough to grind out the win.

For the first time ever Salters lined up in a 3-5-2 formation. It was a big risk to change things at the last minute against one of the best sides in the league and perhaps a risk that backfired. With Mikey Jones missing from the midfield Shane Thomson and Kevin Robinson came in for starts and Stephen Brown moved into a more advanced roll. A back three of Darren Smith, Ryan Newton and Steven Illingworth coped well under pressure and didn’t deserve to be on the loosing team.

The first decent chance of the match fell to Paul Milligan, a good pass from Blair Mathewson was controlled on the turn by Paul, however the shot flew just over the bar from 18 yards when he should at least have tested the goalkeeper. Salters goalkeeper John Paget was called into action soon after, coming out to block the Boca attackers shot which was goal bound.  Salters forced a couple of corners, free kicks and throw ins in decent areas but the Boca goalkeeper and defence stood strong. Apart from a couple of flick on’s and headed chances there was not a real clear cut chance. At the other end of the pitch Boca were looking dangerous and more likely to get the first goal. They did get the break through after a ball in to the box resulted in a miss kick from the Salters defender and the striker reacted quickest to poke home following a scramble. In a game where the first goal was always going to be vital it was a hugely disappointing goal to loose. Play went back and forward for the rest of the half and Boca looked more likely to score, however there were no real incidents or chances created as neither team really found any rhythm.

The second half followed the same pattern as the first half. Both teams did try their best but there wasn’t really much quality on show. Again Salters had several free kicks in decent positions but failed to get the delivery right. Boca got the second goal of the game and killed Salters off mid way through the half. A through ball behind the Salters defence was taken forward by the striker who finished off with a classy touch into the far corner. The best Salters chance then fell to David Jamieson, who from 3 yards out with the ball in front of him took three touches and lost the chance, any kind of touch and it was a goal. Salters were then denied a stonewall penalty when the defender caught the ball with his hand, however the referee didn’t spot it. Boca also should have had a penalty after a foul in the box. The Boca forward also had a very good chance to score, a cross from the right wing found him unmarked at the back post but somehow he fired wide from 8 yards. The game finished 2-0 to Boca.

This wasn’t a great football game, and Salters really didn’t get going at all. Boca played the better stuff and deserved to get the three points in the end. It was a battle from the start and although both teams gave everything and battled away Salters are disappointed not to have given a better account of themselves.

The league now looks like a three way battle with Currie, Redhall and Boca all going for the title, Salters must concentrate on not letting all hard work in the first half of the season go to waste and ensure they keep battling away and finish as high up the league as possible.

Best of luck to Boca, except in the two remaining clashes between the clubs!

Team: John Paget, Darren Smith, Ryan Newton, Steven Illingworth, Blair Mathewson (Richard Murray), David Jamieson, Kevin Robinson (Steven Duncan) Shane Thomson, Paul Nelson, Stephen Brown, Paul Milligan. Subs not used: Steven Faughnan, Dani Muir, Niall Malone.