By Pete Martin – Cover image by Roger Elliott
League leaders Chesham United went home empty-handed from the Ray Mac as Salisbury ran out 3-1 winners in the battle of the league’s top 2 sides. Whites manager Brian Dutton made 6 changes to his starting lineup, including a 2nd debut for defender Jack Ball who re-joined the club on loan from Farnborough this week.
Images by Michael Berkeley
It took Salisbury just 5 minutes to open the scoring; Noah Coppin pouncing on some hesitation in the Chesham defence and slotting the ball home from 12 yards out to give the Whites the lead. Following the early goal the game settled down with goal-scoring chances scarce at either end. It wasn’t until the 31st minute that either goal was threatened again; Chesham’s Lewis Rolfe crossed from the right-hand side but Ricardo German’s speculative overhead kick sailed well over the bar. 5 minutes later came the only other chance of the half and this time it was the visitors Callum Adebiyi who headed wide when well placed from a free kick, and an even half ended with only Coppin’s early strike separating the teams.
Images by Roger Elliott
The second half started with Salisbury on the front foot and on 50 minutes neither Coppin nor Hedges could convert from tight angles on either side of the goal before 2 minutes later a strong-looking Chesham penalty shout was waved away as Whites keeper Harrison Lee was deemed to have got the ball. Just after the hour mark, the first real save of note from either keeper saw Chesham’s Zaki Oualah get down low to brilliantly keep out Dan Fitchett’s close-range header but 90 seconds later the home side doubled their lead. Ryan Penny’s inch-perfect pass found Hedges running through in the right-hand channel and his finish across Oualah saw the ball nestle in the bottom corner of the net.
The next 10 minutes saw 2 shots from Coppin fail to trouble the Chesham keeper before on 74 minutes the visitors were awarded a penalty when Bradley Clayton was tripped in the area. German stepped up to take it and the league’s top scorer confidently dispatched it to half the deficit and gave his side hope. The goal galvanised Chesham and on 78 minutes Adebiyi dragged a shot wide of the goal, but for all their endeavour in the closing stages, the White’s defence held firm. Deep into stoppage time a Chesham corner saw Oualah head forwards but when the ball was cleared forward by Salisbury it meant that Hedges had an empty net in which to slot home his 2nd of the day to seal all 3 points for the home side.
Highlights video
Salisbury are back at home next Saturday 16th March when they entertain fellow play-off hopefuls Merthyr Town in a 3 pm kick-off.
Team: Lee, Smith, McIntyre, Jombati, Ball, Leggett, Penny(Perez), Dore, Hedges, Coppin(Robinson), Fitchett(Irving) Unused Subs: Rutter, Harding
