Match of the Night: Super sub earns Broughton victory in Flintshire derby

NORTH EAST WALES LEAGUE DIVISION 1 – AUGUST 26. 2025

Saltney Town 1 (Dami Salami 2)
Broughton United 2 (Lewis Hopwood 54, Luke Muia 78)

Report: Shaun Best

Three days after pulling off a superb Welsh Cup giant-killing of Tier 3 Corwen, Broughton claimed a first win as a T4 North East Wales Division 1 side with a 2-1 triumph at Saltney.

United bagged Flintshire derby bragging rights, coming from a goal down to see off the Bordermen at the Dragon Steel Stadium.

A Lewis Hopwood wonder strike cancelled out Dami Salami’s opener, before substitute Luke Muia netted the winner. 

Broughton’s first league win puts the cat amongst the pigeons in what is looking to be a competitive field in this season’s NEWFA First Division.

A healthy crowd of 250+ gathered for this first meeting between two clubs that are separated by just three miles on the map.

Some fans were still filing in with their hot dogs and Mr Whippy ice creams when Saltney hit the front in fortuitous circumstances.

Visiting goalkeeper Liam Tarran inexplicably spilled Tom Harrison’s routine looking cross from the byline when he looked to have the ball under control. The red hot Salami didn’t look a gift horse in the mouth to poke home his fifth goal in as many games. 

Within moments, the young drummers behind the goal were singing Salami’s name into local folklore.

Broughton reacted positively to going behind, but the offside flag thwarted and frustrated a lively looking Hopwood. Saltney’s Jake Johnson spurned a chance to double his side’s advantage when he lifted his chipped effort too high.

The visitors equalised just before the hour mark. It came as no surprise that Hopwood was the architect. Collecting the ball out wide, he lofted a cross turned shot over the outstretched arm of Oliver Smith, with the ball nestling nicely in the top corner.

Hopwood – the hero in the cup win against Corwen three days prior – had come up trumps again. Truth be told, it was no more than Broughton deserved.

The momentum had now changed, so it was a questionable decision when Hopwood was substituted. Or was it?

With Saltney looking shaky in defence, they allowed a free kick to bounce off the top of the crossbar.

Moments later the substitution paid dividends. The energetic Muia spun his marker in the box and hooked the ball in from close range.

Muia almost netted again, but Smith did well to push a low effort away from danger.

Late on, the visitors struck the woodwork once more, before Muia rolled a dangerous ball too far ahead of a team-mate with the last kick of the game.

Attendance: 274