By Pete Martin – Cover images by Roger Elliott
A dramatic late comeback from Salisbury saw them turn the game around and reach the Southern League South Play-off final with a 2-1 victory over Gosport Borough. For this semi-final clash, manager Brian Dutton made just 1 change to his team; Jack Ball coming in for Tom Bragg.
It was a very cagey opening to the game, with neither side wanting to make an early mistake. On 13 minutes Salisbury midfielder Charlie Gunson put a 1st time effort straight into the hands of Gosport keeper Toby Steward, whilst 5 minutes later at the other end Rafa Ramos shot high and wide from a tight angle on the left hand side. The majority of the half was played in the middle third of the pitch and neither team were able to conjure much to trouble either goalkeeper. It took until 41 minutes for the next sight of goal; Salisbury’s Noah Coppin breaking down the left and playing the ball across which was only narrowly put wide of his own post by a Gosport defender. From the subsequent corner, White’s skipper Sido Jombati found himself in space at the near post, but was only able to power his header wide when unmarked 6 yards out as the teams went in level at the break.
Images by Roger Elliott
The second half saw Gosport come out strong and within 90 seconds Dan Wooden scooped the ball just over the top, before on 54 minutes the same player saw a low shot well saved by White’s keeper Ryan Gosney. The away side continued to look more likely; pressing Salisbury high up the pitch and not allowing them any time on the ball, and on 65 minutes they thought they might have opened the scoring when, after a goalmouth scramble, the ball was deemed to have not crossed the line. They only had to wait 5 minutes more however to break the deadlock; a corner from the left hand side caused panic in the White’s defence and Charlie Wassmer was on hand to smash the ball home from close range.
Images by Roger Elliott
Salisbury were struggling to get their passing game going and on 82 minutes were indebted to Gosney for keeping them in the game; the White’s gloveman making himself big to deny Alex Barsa when through on goal before recovering quickly to deny the same player on the follow up. Having offered very little in an attacking sense in the second half, with 3 minutes remaining in the game Salisbury struck an equaliser. A long ball was switched wide to Josh Hedges on the left hand side and, after beating a couple of men, he fired in a low shot which beat Steward at his near post. With their tails up Salisbury pushed for a late winner and were handed the chance when a long ball saw Dan Fitchett get in front of Wassmer before being brought down on the edge of the area. The referee deemed the foul inside the box and awarded a penalty, with the Gosport defender seeing red as well. After a long delay, top scorer Noah Coppin stepped up and kept his composure to smash the ball home and seal the comeback. It could have been even better in time added on but Steward leapt well to tip over Coppin’s effort on the half volley, with Salisbury’s late show sealing the win and a place in the play-off final.
The final will be played this coming Bank Holiday Monday, May 6th, when the Whites will travel to take on AFC Totton in a 3pm kick off.
Team: Gosney, Leggett, Sommerton, Ball, Jombati, Dore, McCreadie(Bragg), Perez(Penny), Gunson(Fitchett), Hedges, Coppin
Unused Subs: Rutter, McIntyre
