By Pete Martin – All images by Michael Berkeley.
Brian Dutton got his 1st win as Salisbury manager with a hard-fought and battling win at home to Hanwell Town. There were 2 changes from Saturday’s game at Dorchester; Sam Ashton coming in for Dan Fitchett and new loan signing Seung Yang replacing Darren Mullings. There was also a welcome return from injury for Devon Arnold, with the young attacker named amongst the substitutes.
It was nearly a perfect debut for Yang as within the 1st minute a long ball fell to him only for the midfielder to see his shot blocked behind for a corner. The first threat from the visitors came after 8 minutes and saw Adam Laaref put a shot high and wide after cutting in from the left before at the other end a mistake from a Hanwell defender nearly let the Whites in, but Seokjae Lee’s shot was eventually blocked behind. There was a slight let-off for Salisbury after 20 minutes with Hanwell unable to take advantage of Sam Roberts undershot back pass before 5 minutes later the home side took the lead. Yang played a ball in from the left and Dan Fitchett, on to replace Brandon Goodship, back-flicked the ball onto Ashton who took a touch before calmly curling the ball into the net from the edge of the area. The next chance also came Salisbury’s way after 36 minutes but Yang was unable to convert Fitchett’s ball across before the visitors had 2 fantastic chances to equalise as they finished the half strongly. Firstly Shomari Barnwell somehow managed to head wide unmarked from 5 yards out before a brilliant save from Gerard Benfield denied Laaref after he’d cut in from the left to send the Whites into halftime with a slender lead.
The 2nd half started fairly cagily, with not much in the way of goalmouth action until 57 minutes when Ashton flashed a header wide before on 66 minutes a succession of Hanwell corners ended with Dwayne Duncan heading against the bar with Benfield again in fine form to block the follow-up shot behind for yet another corner. Despite riding their luck Salisbury had chances with only an offside flag denying Lee a goal before the same fate befell Ashton, although on this occasion Hugo Sobte had made a fine save. There was a big let-off for the Whites on 75 minutes as a bout of pinball in the box saw Josh Sommerton well placed to clear from off the line before at the other end a wind-assisted corner from Antonio Diaz nearly went straight in. There was a big chance to kill the game on 84 minutes but Josh Wakefield could only shoot tamely at Sobte when clean through before Benfield made another top-class save to tip Laaref’s shot onto the bar. As the game ticked around to 90 minutes the Whites again saw a player clean through on goal but this time a superb last-ditch tackle by Mack Miskin denied Ashton before they finally put the game beyond doubt in the 93rd minute. With Hanwell pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Fitchett found himself in the clear and with defenders getting back the ball was eventually blocked wide to Lee who cut in and rifled home a left foot shot into the roof of the net to seal the 3 points for the Whites.
Salisbury are back on the road this Saturday 5th November when they travel to 2nd in the league Weston Super Mare for a 3 pm kick-off.
Team: Benfield, Gillela(Brooks C), Sommerton, Roberts, Diaz(Arnold), Carmichael, Wakefield, Yang, Lee, Goodship(Fitchett), Ashton.
Unused Subs: Thomson, Gunstone-Gray
Man of the Match was chosen by Salisbury FC Women. Congratulations to Gerard Benfield. Well deserved for a clean sheet due to some fantastic saves.
You can see Salisbury FC Women play this Sunday at the Ray Mac. Entry is free to the Women’s games for the remainder of this season. Salisbury FC Women v FC Calne Ladies kick off at 2 pm.
