By Pete Martin – Cover image by Michael Berkeley.
A late equaliser denied Salisbury all 3 points as they were held to a 2-2 draw in an entertaining game at the Ray Mac Stadium. With the Whites not having had a league game for 10 days, there were 3 changes to manager Brian Dutton’s teamsheet. Young defender Erion Zabeli came in for Sam Roberts, Brandon Goodship replaced Devon Arnold and on-loan Port Vale midfielder Thomas McDermott returned from injury to take the place of Bowue Bosma who was serving a suspension following his red card against North Leigh.
Images by Michael Berkeley
Despite heavy rain overnight, the pitch was in good condition at the Ray Mac and it was Salisbury who created the 1st opportunity when on 3 minutes James Plant was in on goal but his low shot from inside the area saw Magpies keeper Ryan Hall get down well and deny him. On 7 minutes, Dorchester showed their first signs of attacking intent when a dangerous cross in from the right by Lewis Waterfield was headed wide by striker Shaquille Gwengwe when well placed 8 yards out. The game settled down with chances at a premium at either end until on 23 minutes Hall again denied Plant, before 2 minutes later Aaron McCreadie headed over from an in-swinging corner and then Calvin Brooks couldn’t keep his shot down when the Magpies were unable to clear the ball fully.
Images by Michael Berkeley
On the half-hour mark though the Whites were made to pay as a quick throw in on the right-hand side saw Gwengwe get the better of Tobi Ogundega and burst into the box before firing a low shot home across the goal. With half time looming, and it looking like the visitors would go in ahead, Plant once again got away down the left-hand side and drove into the box where he was brought down with referee Philip Staynings showing no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Brandon Goodship stepped up to take the penalty and sent Hall the wrong way to ensure a level game at half time.
Images by Roger Elliott
A tactical tweak at half time saw Devon Arnold introduced in place of Ogundega with the Whites switching to a back 3 and they started the half looking the more likely to take the lead. They probably should have done so on 49 minutes but Plant’s touch was slightly too heavy allowing Hall to smother the ball after he’d been fed through by Goodship, playing in a more central role. It was the home side who were seeing more of the ball as the half progressed, but unable to create the chance needed to take the lead. On 66 minutes they did manage to create a good chance but, after a quick break from a Dorchester corner, Arnold saw his 1st-time effort from 10 yards out heroically blocked on the line by a Magpies defender. With 77 minutes on the clock Whites keeper Mark Smith was called into action for his 1st real save of the afternoon, getting down well to deny Matthew Neale following a good move by Dorchester. With 5 minutes of the game remaining Salisbury got what looked like being the winning goal. A corner from the right was swung in by Goodship and when Zabeli’s athletic effort came back off the crossbar, McCreadie was well-placed to lash home his first goal since returning to the club. With the board going up to indicate 5 additional minutes of play, it looked like the Whites had done enough to grab the 3 points but Waterfield had other ideas. A Magpies corner was only half cleared and it fell nicely to the Dorchester wideman who crashed home an unstoppable effort from the edge of the box to earn his side a share of the points.
Salisbury are back in action on Good Friday, 7th April, when they travel to Hendon for a 3 pm kick off.
Team: Smith, Brooks C, Sommerton, Zabeli, Ogundega(Arnold D), Yang, McCreadie, McDermott, Goodship, Plant, Fitchett(Mealing).
Unused Subs: Arnold C, Roocroft.
