By Pete Martin – Cover image by Michael Berkeley
Despite a much-improved performance from Salisbury, visitors Plymouth Parkway still went away with all 3 points courtesy of a solitary 2nd half-goal. Whites manager Brian Dutton made 1 change from Tuesday nights defeat; Marvin Brooks coming in for Sam Roberts, with Josh Carmichael starting the game in defence.
Images By Michael Berkeley
It was a fairly quiet start to the game, the only thing of note in the opening 10 minutes being an injury to Salisbury captain Dan Fitchett, with Jerry Lawrence coming on and Marvin Brooks pushing further forward alongside Brandon Goodship. It was on 14 minutes that there was the first sight of goal for either side; Salisbury full back Calvin Brooks coming onto the ball at the back post only to see his goal-bound shot blocked by a Parkway defender. The visitors’ first foray forward 2 minutes later saw Michael Williams get in behind on the left but there was no one on hand to convert his ball across with the Whites able to scramble the ball clear.
Images by Roger Elliott
On 19 minutes the best chance of the game so far arrived; Brandon Goodship picked up a loose ball in midfield, fed James Plant coming in from the left and his low effort drew a good save from Parkway keeper Harry Lee. The follow-up was recycled and following another Plant shot, the ball rebounded to Marvin Brooks who tapped home only to see the linesman’s flag raised for offside. Shortly before the half hour mark, Lee was again called into action, getting down well to keep out Carmichael’s effort before 5 minutes later home keeper Gerard Benfield was called into action to deny Jack Crago following a quick break.
On 37 minutes, both keepers were called into action in quick succession; Lee pushing out a fierce effort from Olutobi Ogundega, before Parkway broke and found Callum Hall bursting through with Benfield equal to the task to deny him. In time added on Lee was again called into action, youngster Thomas McDermott drawing another save with a placed shot from inside the area to ensure the game remained goalless at half time.
5 minutes into the second half, the Whites had yet another chance but again found Lee in fine form. A long goal kick was flicked on and Marvin Brooks fed Goodship in behind with Lee denying him when 1 on 1. 5 minutes later Parkway gave a reminder of what they could do, a good move saw Toby Stephens feed Crago in behind and his shot across goal flashed narrowly wide. The game continued to see Salisbury dominate the possession, but a Parkway defensive restructure closing down the space ensured the Whites were unable to fashion as many chances as earlier in the game.
Images by Michael Berkeley
On 73 minutes they were made to pay as the visitors grabbed the only goal of the game. A decent passing move in the attacking third saw them in down the left side and the ball was played across goal with Hall on hand to tap home from close in. Salisbury reacted well and pushed hard for an equaliser, substitute Devon Arnold denied by Lee and then Plant shooting over following a good move involving Carmichael and Goodship. The Whites continued to knock on the door but were unable to fashion a final clear-cut chance meaning Parkway returned to Devon with all 3 points.
Salisbury have a midweek trip to Highworth Town in the Wiltshire Premier Shield on Wednesday 8th February and are next in league action on Tuesday 14th February when they welcome Harrow Borough to the Ray Mac.
Team: Benfield, Brooks C, Sommerton, Carmichael, Ogundega, Yang, McDermott, Brooks M, Plant, Goodship, Fitchett(Lawrence, Arnold)
Unused Subs: Tomlinson, Lee, Roberts
