Salisbury FC face early challenge against newly-relegated Hungerford

Friday, 25 August 2023 01:00

Salisbury host newly-relegated Hungerford Town at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium tomorrow, in a fixture that will certainly be the biggest threat so far to Salisbury's four-game unbeaten streak.

With Hungerford being relegated from the National League South for the first time in seven seasons, this will be the first competitive meeting between these teams in their current club’s history.

It will also be Salisbury’s first game of a doubleheader weekend, as the Whites travel to Winchester City on Bank Holiday Monday.

Manager Brian Dutton was concerned about his squad’s fitness when playing two games so close to each other, saying in an interview with the club: “Hopefully, we can get some rest and recuperation into our lads. We’ve got a few still to come back from injuries, so we’re still a bit depleted.

“But we’re looking forward to the Hungerford fixture, and rolling into the Winchester one.”

Salisbury come off of a trip to London last week against Hendon FC, where a goalless draw saw both teams maintain their undefeated league streaks.

READ: Dutton’s Salisbury remain unbeaten after weekend draw

Ryan Penny will look to pick up where he left off when he last played against Hungerford, as he scored when these teams played a friendly in 2022, which Salisbury won 2-1.

In preparation for playing in the Southern League Premier South for the first time since 2016, Hungerford rebuilt their squad over the summer with 15 first-team signings.

All eyes will be on exciting Bulgarian winger Slavi Spasov - the pick of their summer signing litter who joined on a free transfer from League One outfit Oxford United.

Hungerford have reintroduced themselves to the division well, demolishing Plymouth Parkway 7-0 on the opening weekend and scoring 12 goals in the first four games.

But unlocking Salisbury’s defence will be a challenge - the Whites have only conceded three goals so far, the second-lowest let-in by any team in the division.

Tickets for the game can be purchased via the Salisbury FC website – https://salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets/

Keep up to date with the match on Salisbury Radio if you can’t make the game – on DAB – SMART SPEAKERS and ONLINE.

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