Match Detail

Salters had Goalkeeper John Paget plus central defensive partnership MacFarlane and Jones available after missing out against Boca. Striker Paul Milligan was left on the bench with Shane Thomson and David Jamieson coming in to start for the first time this season. Stephen Crawford, Daniel Muir, Callum Weir, Steven Faughnan, Paul Burden, Kris Murdoch and Ryan Newton were all still missing.

In a tight game Salters battled away very well and in the first half had much the better of the game. We played some decent football and the midfield was excellent. The front three of Nelson, Robertson and Tragis were causing a few problems and when Oxgangs got forward the Salters defence were on top. It was Oxgangs that got the first goal through a cracking free kick. Scott Thomson who always causes Salters problems unleashed a thunderbolt left footed 25 yard free kick right in the far to corner, unstoppable. Salters never let this get to us as we kept battling away and we created a few chances. One very good move involved a few players before Stephen Brown picked out Chris Robertson at the back post with a great cross, however Chris volleyed over the bar. Chris made up for this soon after, being brave and out jumping the goalkeeper to head into an empty net from 8 yards. Robert Tragis, Chris Robertson and Paul Nelson all got into decent shooting positions, however we didn’t get the second goal and the half time whistle blew at 1-1.

Salters started the second half really well. This was typified by Chris Robertson who chased the defender; put him under pressure two or three times before winning the ball and crossing to the back post for Robert Tragis to finish well on his weaker foot. With an hour gone it was 2-1 to Salters. David Jamieson and Chris Robertson then went off injured and Salters didn’t adjust well to the changes. Oxgangs came right back at us and for the last 25 minutes they threw everything at us. Although John Paget in goals didn’t have too many difficult saves to make Oxgangs were forcing the play and camped in our half. The best chance they had was a scramble in the 6 yard line which was cleared by Michael Jones on the line. Late in the game and with Oxgangs committing men forward Salters caught them on the break. Sub Blair Mathewson showed his blistering pace down the right wing and sent in a great delivery for the other sub Richard Murray, Richards’s effort was blocked but Paul Nelson was on hand to nod home and seal the win for Salters.

The first 60 minutes of this game Salters played really well. We shut Oxgangs down all over the pitch and defended brilliantly. We passed it well and created a few chances and the front three were excellent. At the back Jones and MacFarlane were once again different class and stood firm against everything Oxgangs threw at us. Kevin Robinson at full back had a great game against Oxgangs best player. Shane Thomson, Stephen Brown and David Jamieson were outstanding in midfield. The last 30 minutes were a huge test for us, particularly after last week’s performance. We rode our luck a little but we were a perfect defensive unit and held out for the 3 points against one the strongest teams in the league. Oxgangs will undoubtedly take points from the other top sides so this could be a great win for us.

Chris Robertson was taken away by ambulance with a bad injury to his right ankle following a fair 50/50 tackle. We await news on the injury and hope it wasn’t as bad as we first thought. Chris has been brilliant for us so far.

Slowly but surely we are getting other players back into training. Hopefully we can soon have a full strength team to pick from.

Well done on a hard fought three points. Best of luck to Oxgangs for the season ahead.