Match Detail

With 11 first team regulars missing and no goalkeeper Salters faced last season’s runners up knowing it was going to be a very difficult day.

With both John Paget and Shane Thomson missing in goals, injured midfielder David Jamieson agreed at the last minute to start in goals for the first time ever. Centre half’s Ryan Newton, Michael Jones and Keith MacFarlane were all missing which gave first starts in Salters colours for Callum Weir and Daniel Blyth.

With such an unfamiliar look to the team it was almost inevitable that we started very slowly. Boca raced into an early lead as Jamieson in goal was beaten to the ball by the striker who poked the ball home. Boca got a second soon after, again Jamieson in goals doing his best but the shot dropped straight to the Boca player to tap home. Soon after the best goal of the game came from Salters Robert Tragis who smashed home a 25 yard screamer into the far corner. Salters had a couple of chances to score with the Boca goalkeeper producing 2 or 3 fantastic saves, one in particular down low to his near post was brilliant. Boca however broke forward and after a nice free kick into the back post the unmarked midfielder headed home. Salters got another goal back after a great run and cross from Robert Tragis was headed in by Paul Milligan from 8 yards. Just before half time Boca went further ahead, again exposing gaps in the backline to got 4-2 up.

Salters were forced to change again at half time, with Jamieson in goals now injured. Striker Paul Milligan had to drop back to midfield. Boca went further ahead after a cut back from the left wing was slotted home by the forward, and then after a nice passing move the substitute added a 6th goal. Salters got the score back to 6-3 after a good ball into the box by Paul Nelson was headed home by Robert Tragis at the back post. Late in the game Boca got a 7th with a defender getting forward and beating the goalkeeper low into the far post.

So a bit of a drubbing in the end for Salters and we have no complaints about getting beat. However with so many players missing and having to play with no goalkeeper we kept going and actually created a good few chances particularly in the first half. David Jamieson stepped up when we needed him to go in goals and he done a decent job.

Robert Tragis played very well for Salters, got a deserved double and was our best player on the day.

With keeper John Paget back fit this week and Keith MacFarlane, Michael Jones, Blair Mathewson, Richard Murray, David Jamieson, Kris Murdoch, Steven Faughnan and Paul Burden all back in training we hope to have a stronger squad available in the weeks ahead.

However goalkeeper Shane Thomson and centre half Ryan Newton are now looking at another 6-8 weeks until they are available for selection.

So in all a deserved victory for Boca against an under strength Salters. We must forget about this and move on quickly. However we face another very tough match on Sunday against a very good Oxgangs team.