By Pete Martin
Salisbury’s 4-game unbeaten run came to an end as they were between 2-1 away at Beaconsfield Town. There was just 1 change to the starting lineup named by Brian Dutton; Sam Roberts replacing the injured Josh Sommerton, with Dinesh Gillela shuffling across to left back.
It was a bright start from the Whites and after Josh Carmichael saw an early shot blocked, on 7 minutes home keeper Raven Constable needed to be alert to push wide a left-footed effort from Brandon Goodship after Beaconsfield lost the ball in midfield. Salisbury were the more dominant side in the first 20 minutes, with plenty of neat passing and good movement. It wasn’t until 22 minutes that Beaconsfield had their first real sight of goal; Myles Anderson heading a corner over the bar when well placed in the box. That led to a couple more chances for the home side, Keano Robinson stabbing wide at the back post before Gerard Benfield was alert to deny Tobias Little following a quick break. The Whites responded and created 3 quick opportunities with neither Lucas Tomlinson nor Josh Carmichael able to beat Constable with shots from distance, before the ball was nearly put through their own net by a home defender following more good work from Tomlinson. 4 minutes before half time Beaconsfield had a golden opportunity to open the scoring but, following a Sam Roberts foul inside the box, Little put his penalty low to Benfield’s right only to see the keeper pull off a fine save to send the sides in level at half time.
The second half saw the home side start on the front foot, although it was Salisbury’s Marvin Brooks who come closest in the early stages; he just managed to beat Constable to the ball but couldn’t convert from a very tight angle and then from the resulting break, Benfield made a fantastic save from Daniel Bradshaw when he burst into the box. Beaconsfield were starting to pressure and on 63 minutes that told as Nathan Minhas was on hand to convert after Benfield did well to deny Little. It took just 2 minutes for The Whites to respond; Dan Fitchett was stronger than Anderson down the right-hand side and he burst into the box and fed the ball across to Brandon Goodship who took a touch before rifling the ball into the roof of the net. Parity only lasted for around 5 minutes as Beaconsfield were awarded a 2nd penalty following another foul in the area. This time Kyle Reid stepped up and he fired home the spot kick, via the left-hand upright. Salisbury kept battling, and on 76 minutes clever play from Goodship saw him carry the ball into the box with Constable alert to hold on to his low shot. The Whites were reduced to 10 men with 12 minutes remaining; Josh Wakefield seeing red for an outburst at the referee in the middle of the pitch. Despite plenty of endeavour from Salisbury, they were unable to create any further opportunities and Beaconsfield were able to see the game out and hold on for the 3 points.
The Whites will be back in action next Saturday 17th December when they host Hayes and Yeading in their final game before Christmas.
Team: Benfield, Brooks C, Roberts, Kherbouche, Gillela(Lee), Carmichael, Wakefield, Brooks M, Tomlinson(Arnold D), Goodship, Fitchett
Unused Subs: Arnold C, Roocroft, Fox.
