Andy Munns
Salisbury FC lost at the Ray Mac for the first time this season in controversial fashion against AFC Totton.
The referee awarded the Stags a penalty that bemused the majority of the 948 inside the Ray Mac, which, when scored, gave Totton a one-nil victory.
The game didn’t take long to get going, with the returning Josh Gould in the Salisbury net, making a fine double save inside the first five minutes.
He first saved from Scott Rendell’s header, which came from 6 yards out; then he pulled off a fine save when Joe Turner attempted to covert the rebound, pushing it behind for a corner.
Salisbury then broke up the other end on 13 minutes when an Aaron Simpson through ball put Noah Coppin in behind the Totton defence. He carried the ball too wide and it ended up behind for a goal kick.
Salisbury were forced into their first change of the game after 32 minutes when Aaron McCreadie was forced off injured. He was replaced by Zaide Took-Oxley, who joined fellow Oxford United loanee Richard McKenzie on the pitch as both made their debuts after signing on Friday.
Level at half time, the second half began much like the majority of the first in a midfield on top with defences being king.
On 62 minutes it was Totton’s ‘keeper who was making his claim for save of the game. A flat Josh Hedge’s cross was flicked on by Dan Fitchett which caught Luke Hallett off-guard and his header was looping goalwards over, Noice. Noice managed to move his feet quickly and adjust and managed to just push the ball away from on the line.
Both sides rarely threatened other than half chances from distance, or attacks petered out but then came the controversy.
Aaron Simpson chaced the ball into the box and appeared to be shepparding the ball behind under pressure from a Totton player. The assistant referee on that side of the pitch flagged furiously, much to the bemusement of most in the ground. After a brief chat with his assistant, The referee pointed to the spot to award Totton a penalty.
Scott Rendell stepped up and sent Josh Gould the wrong way to give Totton a lead on 74 minutes.
There was more bemusement as, in the 85th minute, it looked as though Totton should have been awarded a spot-kick when Tomasso was taken out as he raced into the box, but the officials weren’t convinced.
Salisbury pushed to find an equaliser in the dying seconds and had their own claims for a penalty for handball in the first minute of added time – again, the referee waved away the appeals.
The game headed for the 101st minute after delays, including an injury to Sido Jombatti, who was stretched from the pitch. and the final chance fell to Josh Hedges who couldn’t get his effort on target after a long ball into the box fell to him 10 yards out.
Brian Dutton said after the game, “Today we were a bit flat, it wasn’t a bad performance, but we didn’t get going. We were waiting for the spark, but it never really game.”
Next up for Salisbury is an away trip to Beaconsfield Town on Saturday, 20th January, at 3 pm kick-off. That is followed by Sholing at the Ray Mac on Saturday, the 27th – again, a 3 pm kick-off. Tickets for the Sholing game can be purchased on the club website – https://salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets/
Feature Image: Andrew Palk
