By Pete Martin
For the 1st time in their history, Salisbury FC beat Met Police FC as they came away from Imber Court with a 3-0 win. Manager Brian Dutton rung the changes from last week’s defeat to Tiverton; Calvin Brooks, Nessum Kherbouce, Seung Yang, Brandon Goodship and Michael Fernandes missing out and Bouwe Bosma, Sam Roberts, Lucas Tomlinson, Dan Fitchett and Devon Arnold coming in to start.
It was a bright start from the Whites and they took an early lead after just 4 minutes. A corner was half cleared as far as Tom McDermott and his low shot was fumbled into the back of the net by the Met Police keeper. Salisbury continued to pressure and on 9 minutes, Aaron Mcreadie hit a shot wide from the edge of the area. The game settled down into a midfield battle, which Salisbury had the better of, but chances were few and far between at either end. The Whites next threatened after 22 minutes; McDermott and James Plant linking up well with the latters shot deflected wide. Most of the play was happening in the Met Police half and Salisbury could have doubled their lead on the half-hour mark, but Fitchett could only shoot over with his first-time shot on the bounce. On 34 minutes, the Whites were reduced to 10 minutes as Plant was shown a 2nd yellow after he was adjudged to have exaggerated the contact following what looked a poor tackle from the Met Police defender, to leave Salisbury facing an uphill task away from home. Despite the man disadvantage, it took the home side until time added on for their 1st effort on goal; Birch heading wide when well placed following a cross from the left by Knight.
As was to be expected Met Police came out strongly for the 2nd half looking to make the most of their man advantage, and after 53 minutes they were unlucky not to equalise when Taylor-Crossdale smashed a shot against the crossbar following a clever free kick fed into him inside the area. 4 minutes later it was the Whites turn to rattle the woodwork; Mcreadie striking the ball against the bar after good work down the right by Calvin Brooks. Following a period of quiet play, Salisbury doubled their lead on 69 minutes, with McDermott getting his 2nd. A quick break from the Whites involving Arnold and Fitchett saw McDermott cut inside from the right-hand side to curl a low shot inside the post. Just 8 minutes later the Whites put the seal on the game as they added a 3rd goal. A clever free kick from McDermott was pushed wide and from the resulting corner, the home defence failed to clear and Fitchett was on hand to hook the ball home for his 2nd goal in consecutive away games. The reaming minutes were played out fairly comfortably for the Whites; half chances for Arnold and substitute Goodship to extend the lead, whilst at the other end Met Police were unable to create anything to test Gerard Benfield meaning the travelling support were sent home happy for the 2nd consecutive away game.
Salisbury are on the road again midweek; this time visiting Bracknell Town for a 7:45 pm kick-off on Tuesday 7th March.
Team: Benfield, Bosma, Sommerton, Mcreadie, Roberts, Ogundega, Tomlinson(Brooks C), McDermott, Fitchett(Goodship), Arnold(Yang)
Unused Subs: Fernandes, Kherbouce
