The Salts stepped out Monday morning in their brand-new yellow away kit, a fresh look for the season and a striking sight under the late-summer sun. The game carried extra spice, coming against local derby and last season’s landlords’ opponents and there was a real determination in the camp to put in a strong display and build on recent performances.

The preparation for the fixture had been far from straightforward, with several players ruled out through injury or unavailability which meant two new signings thrown straight into the thick of the action. Despite those challenges, the squad looked focused in the warm-up and carried that energy into the early stages of the contest.

We looked the stronger team in the first half, creating chances and playing with real intent, but just couldn’t find the breakthrough we deserved. It stayed goalless at the interval, with Casuals offering little in response.

The movement up front was excellent, and the link-up play in midfield showed real cohesion. The only thing missing was the finishing touch.

At the other end, the Salts’ backline looked largely untroubled. Casuals offered little more than sporadic breaks and half-chances, comfortably dealt with by a defence that was both disciplined and organised. The referee’s whistle brought the half-time break with the scoreline still goalless, but there was no doubt which team had been on top.

The second half began much the same way, with the Salts dictating the tempo and probing for an opening. That made it all the more frustrating when, on 61 minutes, the hosts struck against the run of play. A rare moment of space was punished clinically by Rafael Barbosa, who finished smartly to give Casuals a lead they scarcely deserved.

Heads did not drop, however. Just three minutes later, the visitors hit back with a typical striker’s poacher’s goal from Kingsley Anokye from inside the six-yard box. It was no less than the Salts deserved, and the travelling support roared their approval as parity was restored at 1–1.

The match seemed to be heading for a grandstand finish, but on 73 minutes came the game’s decisive flashpoint. Casuals broke forward and a tussle between defender Toby Young and the advancing striker ended with the referee brandishing a red card. It was a harsh decision, with plenty of debate over whether it was truly a last-man situation, but it left the Salts down to ten men for the final quarter of the game.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, the players showed huge character. Bodies were thrown on the line to block shots, midfielders tracked tirelessly to close down space, and the team looked set to hold firm and take a battling point back home.

But football can be cruel, and in the final minute of normal time, Casuals struck the decisive blow with a free-kick from the left-hand edge of the penalty area to break Salts hearts. After such a committed display, it was gutting to leave empty-handed.

The final whistle confirmed a 2–1 defeat that felt desperately unfair on the balance of play. Yet, while the result was disappointing, there were plenty of positives to take. The new signings settled quickly, the team showed togetherness in adversity, and the performance overall deserved far more than it yielded.