Salisbury end Walton & Hersham's unbeaten streak

Sunday, 10 September 2023 01:00

Brian Dutton's Salisbury team continued their unbeaten run to the start of the season at Walton & Hersham's expense.

Salisbury celebrated their 1-0 win, after Aaron Simpson scored the game's only goal late on, with the match played in sweltering heat.

An entertaining game was expected, with free-scoring Walton arriving at the Ray Mac having scored 21 goals in their first five fixtures; they had also conceded 10. Goals were expected.

That's not quite how the game panned out, with the two sides holding each other at arm's length for the first 20 minutes.

The heat was having its effect on the game, but the away side fashioned a chance, but Flaherty could only direct his shot straight at Gould after connecting with an Ilić cross on 19 minutes.

The sides continued to even each other out as the half progressed, with few clear-cut chances for either side, and it was goalless at halftime.

Devon Arnold celebrates with Aaron Simpson (Image: Andrew Palk)

The second half saw a little more action than the first, with Salisbury's forwards chasing and trying to create some luck.

Eight minutes into the second half, Gunson seized on a loose pass, but couldn't direct his effort on target.

Then it was Fitchett to press; his block on Allen's clearance in the Walton goal almost rebounded into the back of the net with 20 minutes left on the clock.

As the game entered the final 10 minutes, Salisbury enjoyed a period of pressure, with a succession of corners and then came the breakthrough.

Devon Arnold was the instigator, winning the ball in the middle of the park, and then some great interplay with Aaron Simpson allowed Arnold to tee up Simpson, who applied the finish after 82 minutes.

Salisbury were able to see out the game without concerning too much possession or coming under too much pressure from the visitors, seeing out the game 1-0 in front of 606 at the Ray Mac.

The result leaves Salisbury in fourth position in the league on 15 points from their seven matches, and Salisbury supporters are excited by what they are seeing.

After the match, Brian Dutton praised the character of his players, singling out Aaron McCreadie, who had to go off injured but had insisted on continuing.

Salisbury travel to Tiverton on Wednesday evening for their next league fixture, before the long trip to Mousehole on Saturday for their FA Cup Second Qualifying Round game.

Feature Image: Andrew Palk

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.