By Pete Martin
An Egg-celent Good Friday for Salisbury saw them come away from North London with a fine 4-1 victory at Hendon FC. With Dan Fitchett failing a late fitness test, Devon Arnold came in to replace him in manager Brian Dutton’s only change.
On a sunny day in the capital, it was Hendon who had the first real sight of goal; captain Joseph White heading weakly at Salisbury goalkeeper Mark Smith when well-placed 6 yards out. White’s winger James Plant was looking the most dangerous player on the pitch and following a couple of runs inside seeing him crowded out, on 19 minutes he managed to get a low shot in which was claimed at the 2nd attempt by home keeper Aymen Azare. 3 minutes later some good pressure from Arnold saw him win the ball back on the edge of the Hendon box before a low shot from Brandon Goodship dribbled wide. On the half hour mark Smith was again called into action, comfortably claiming a long-range shot from Leo Donnellan before 5 minutes later the Whites took the lead. Plant was again involved; he cut inside and smashed a shot against the upright with Arnold doing well to fire home the rebound with 2 defenders between him and the goal. With 3 minutes remaining until half time Arnold could have doubled the advantage, but his touch was slightly heavy and allowed Azaze to smother the ball following a fine passing move from the visitors to send them into half-time with just a 1-goal advantage.
The second half began with Salisbury very much on the front foot and early on Tom McDermott drew a save from Azare before on 50 minutes he did get his name on the scoresheet. Arnold broke away quickly down the right-hand side and he showed composure to pick out McDermott on the edge of the area who took a touch before curling a low shot into the corner of the net. Just 5 minutes later it was 3 with McDermott again the man to grab the goal. Plant battled hard to get free on the left-hand side and crossed the ball in, where Goodship’s header was blocked on the line with the on-loan Port Vale man on hand to lash home the rebound. With the Whites 3 goals to the good, Hendon finally woke up and in a 6 minutes spell Smith needed to be alert to deny Liam Brooks, Shaun Lucien and Donnellan when all 3 had goalbound shots. On 69 minutes the home side did pull a goal back when Frank Kieta, only on the pitch for 2 minutes, fired the ball home following a quick break. Hendon’s tails were up and they were enjoying their best spell of the game; Smith again having to be alert on 2 occasions to prevent them pulling another goal back, before on 81 minutes Aaron McCreadie sealed the game for Salisbury. A good move, mainly down the left-hand side saw the ball come to the young midfielder on the edge of the area and he took 1 touch before firing home for his 2nd goal in consecutive matches. That killed the game completely and the Whites were able to see the rest of the game out in comfort and claim all 3 points.
Salisbury continue their Easter weekend efforts when they entertain Winchester City on Monday 10th April in a 3 pm kick off.
Team: Smith, Brooks C, Sommerton, Zabeli, Ogundega, Yang, McCreadie, McDermott, Plant, Arnold D(Roocroft), Goodship
Unused Subs: Arnold C, Mealing.
