Salisbury won the first Wiltshire derby of the season, coming off one goal better in a five-goal game that had a bit of everything.
A disallowed goal, penalty claims, handbags included – at times, it was a feisty game with both sides trying to land the killer punch, and it was Salisbury who delivered.
Chippenham made a good start and thought they had taken the lead in the 9th minute, but the assistant raised his flag and ruled it out for offside. McClure tested Aziaya, and the Salisbury stopper failed to collect. Tom Owen-Evans put the ball away, only to be disappointed by the flag.
The first half was a bitty game, with both sides having spells where they looked the better side, but Salisbury took the lead.
Aidan Elliott-Wheeler had looked like he could cause Chippenham problems, and when he drove infield, defenders struggled to keep up with him.
He drove to the edge of the area, picked a pass to find Jordan Ragguette, and Salisbury’s left-sided wideman applied the finish to give the home side the lead after 32 minutes.
Chippenham looked to get back into the game. McClure did well with a header, but Aziaya was equal to it, pushing the header away just two minutes after Salisbury had taken the lead, and Salisbury led 1-0 at halftime.
Salisbury had a great chance to double their lead at the start of the second half, but Josh Hedges was well denied by Will Henry after the Salisbury forward got through one-on-one.
It was an own goal that gave the away side parity. Chippenham played a good ball into the box; Sido Jombati stretched out a leg and deflected it goalwards; it rolled agonisingly into the back of the net on 61 minutes.
It didn’t take Salisbury long to get back in front, in fact, just six minutes when Aidan Elliott-Wheeler hit a rasper from 20 yards, beating Henry as it nestled in the back of the net.
The game was opening up, and it swang back towards the Bluebirds when they pushed forward and equalised again in the 74th minute. Tom Mehew slid the ball past Aziaya to frustrate the home supporters.
Parity didn’t last long, though, as just four minutes later, the home side were once again in the lead. This time, it was Josh Hedges, who cut inside on high right foot from the left-hand side of the box, danced past one and then slid the ball through the legs of another and into the far corner in front of the Salisbury supporters.
As the game headed into injury time, things got a little testy, with three players all going in the book for handbags on the touchline near the away dugout.
Hedges could have made it more comfortable, but again, he was denied as Salisbury saw the game out and moved away from the drop zone with all three points.
It’s back to the FA Cup next as Salisbury welcome Bath City to the Ray Mac on Saturday, 28th September. Kick-off is at 3 pm. You can buy your tickets online in advance here – https://www.salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets/
