By Pete Martin and images by Andrew Palk
Salisbury’s first away game of the season saw them pick up their first win as 2 goals from captain Sido Jombati saw them emerge victorious at AFC Totton. Manager Brian Dutton made 3 changes to his starting XI; Tom Leggett, Jamar Smith and Josh Hedges coming in for Tom Bragg, Aaron Simpson and Ryan Penny.
A cagey opening 10 minutes saw neither team able to dominate, with the majority of play taking place in the middle of the pitch. Salisbury were 1st to have a sight of goal on 11 minutes, but Theo Lewis could only head over the top when Hedge’s cross found him in space at the back post. The first half chance for Totton arrived just before 20 minutes but no one was on hand to convert after skipper Charlie Kennedy won the original ball at the back post from a teasing free kick. The Whites were starting to get a stronghold in midfield and on 23 minutes, Charlie Gunson was unlucky to see his effort blocked behind before 4 minutes later Josh Gould in the Salisbury goal was called into action as Totton got in behind; the custodian equal to the task though.
All images by Andrew Palk
Just before the half-hour, the Whites opened the scoring; Dan Fitchett feeding in Charlie Gunson who was brought down by Kennedy; the referee showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Skipper Jombati stepped up and calmly sent Lewis Noice the wrong way to give his side the lead. Having taken the lead, Salisbury looked the more likely to be the game’s next scorers with Hedges, in particular, looking dangerous down the right-hand side. The winger got in behind on 40 minutes and pulled the ball across for Fitchett to convert, only for the linesman’s flag to deny him his first goal of the season. Just a minute later though the Whites did double their lead; Theo Lewis was bundled over in the box and Jombati again showing his coolness to slot home the resulting penalty and send Salisbury in 2 goals to the good.
All images by Andrew Palk
The first 15 minutes of the 2nd half saw Salisbury continue to look the more likely; firstly Hedges saw a low shot go narrowly wide before, on 57 minutes, good work from Fitchett saw him win the ball back high up and feed Aaron McCready who curled a left foot shot just wide when well placed. As the half draw on, Totton were seeing a lot more of the ball and on 63 minutes Jake Scrimshaw got in behind on the left-hand side and drew a good save from Gould, before 10 minutes later, substitute Matthew Burrows beat Smith and drew another fine save from Gould. The Whites responded 5 minutes later; Noah Coppin driving into the box and drawing a save from Noice before 2 more fine saves from Gould saw him deny Luke Hallett and then Burrows as the game ticked towards time added on. Into injury time the game went and Totton continued to push to get back into the game but Salisbury held out to secure a hard-earned 3 points.
Salisbury are back in action at the Ray Mac on Tuesday 15th August when they welcome North Wiltshire rivals, Swindon Supermarine for a 7:45 pm kick off.
Team: Gould, Smith, Sommerton(Harding), Jombati, Leggett, McCready, Lewis, Gunson, Coppin, Hedges, Fitchett(Lahan) Unused Subs: Osei, Wooding.
