Hedges hits winner in Wiltshire derby

Sunday, 22 September 2024 05:55

Salisbury won the first Wiltshire derby of the season, coming off one goal better in a five-goal game that had a bit of everything.

A disallowed goal, penalty claims, handbags included – at times, it was a feisty game with both sides trying to land the killer punch, and it was Salisbury who delivered.

Chippenham made a good start and thought they had taken the lead in the 9th minute, but the assistant raised his flag and ruled it out for offside. McClure tested Aziaya, and the Salisbury stopper failed to collect. Tom Owen-Evans put the ball away, only to be disappointed by the flag.

The first half was a bitty game, with both sides having spells where they looked the better side, but Salisbury took the lead.

Aidan Elliott-Wheeler had looked like he could cause Chippenham problems, and when he drove infield, defenders struggled to keep up with him.

He drove to the edge of the area, picked a pass to find Jordan Ragguette, and Salisbury’s left-sided wideman applied the finish to give the home side the lead after 32 minutes.

Chippenham looked to get back into the game. McClure did well with a header, but Aziaya was equal to it, pushing the header away just two minutes after Salisbury had taken the lead, and Salisbury led 1-0 at halftime.

Salisbury had a great chance to double their lead at the start of the second half, but Josh Hedges was well denied by Will Henry after the Salisbury forward got through one-on-one.

It was an own goal that gave the away side parity. Chippenham played a good ball into the box; Sido Jombati stretched out a leg and deflected it goalwards; it rolled agonisingly into the back of the net on 61 minutes.

It didn’t take Salisbury long to get back in front, in fact, just six minutes when Aidan Elliott-Wheeler hit a rasper from 20 yards, beating Henry as it nestled in the back of the net.

The game was opening up, and it swang back towards the Bluebirds when they pushed forward and equalised again in the 74th minute. Tom Mehew headed past Aziaya to frustrate the home supporters.

Parity didn’t last long, though, as just four minutes later, the home side were once again in the lead. This time, it was Josh Hedges, who cut inside on high right foot from the left-hand side of the box, danced past one and then slid the ball through the legs of another and into the far corner in front of the Salisbury supporters.

As the game headed into injury time, things got a little testy, with three players all going in the book for handbags on the touchline near the away dugout.

Hedges could have made it more comfortable, but again, he was denied as Salisbury saw the game out and moved away from the drop zone with all three points.

More from Local News

Shops to stay open for 'Festive Shopping' evening

Shops will open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 5th, for an evening of festive shopping in Salisbury, the City of the Stars, this Christmas.
A step towards a safer community as Speedwatch group gets underway

Laverstock & Ford Parish Council saw their inaugural Community Speedwatch get underway this month after some initial setbacks.
Trainee teacher takes part in prestigious Lord Mayor’s Show in London to raise awareness of liver disease

A trainee teacher and marathon runner who is waiting for a liver transplant, was a special guest at the Lord Mayor’s Show in London last Saturday, representing the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity.
Residents encouraged to ‘Ask the Leader’ at event in Amesbury

Wiltshire Council is continuing to host its series of community events across the county where people can ask questions to find out more about the work of the council, with the Leader of the Council having visited 16 of Wiltshire’s 18 community areas so far.
Three men arrested in connection with van break-in series

Wiltshire Police have arrested three people in connection with an investigation into thefts from vans across the county, during which thousands of pounds worth of power tools have been stolen.
Wiltshire Council working hard to reduce overspend

Wiltshire Council has provided its second formal update of the 2024/25 financial year, which shows its previously forecasted overspending has reduced significantly.
Wiltshire's recycling collection to change from 2027

Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet has agreed its future approach to collecting recycling when its current contracts to carry out this service come to an end in 2026.
Salisbury based trains fitted with new anti-slip tech

A new initiative between Network Rail and South Western Railway has more than doubled the number of trains treating the railway and keeping the tracks leaf-free this Autumn.