Salisbury move nine clear of the drop zone after 3-1 win over Welling United

Goals from Noah Coppin and Jordan Ragguette ensured that all three points stayed in Wiltshire in a big game against Welling United.

Welling had narrowed Salisbury's two-goal lead in the second half through Kenedy, but a late Coppin penalty secured the win.

Salisbury started the game with most of the ball; however, it wasn’t until the 10th minute, when Taylor-Crossdale fouled Coxe near the Welling corner flag, that the first-half chance was produced.

The freekick was only cleared as far as Tom Leggett, who brought it down, and the hosts were able to work it to Jaden Perez in the box, but his strike went wayward.

In the 18^th, Noah Coppin would open the scoring for Salisbury with a tap-in into an empty net. The goal came after Leggett produced an elegant clip to set Ronan Silva in on Rhys Lovett’s goal, the keeper came off his line, Silva spotted the unmarked Coppin, who slotted the ball into the vacant goal.

The first half then entered a period where not much happened. Salisbury continued to have the lion’s share of possession, looking comfortable with their lead.

The visitor’s first chance came via a corner, skipper Dave Winfield climbed highest at the back post but couldn’t direct his header at goal resulting a Salisbury goal kick.

The first half ended with the hosts going in a goal-up.

The Kent side started the second period the better of the two sides. Gene Kennedy broke into the host’s box and fizzed a threatening-looking ball across the goal towards T J Bramble, whose contact produced a wide effort.

The visitors kept up their early second half pressure through Kennedy again, the midfielder put another good ball into the centre of Salisbury’s box. After the initial scramble, Zain Walker managed to twist and turn, getting a strike away but not enough to trouble Dan Lincoln.

In the 62^nd minute, Theo Alexandrou was introduced off the bench to make his Welling debut.

Welling’s chances continued; Cornish’s corner struck the bar with the assistance of the strong winds.

In the 69^th, the Whites doubled their lead. Coppin gained possession 10 yards out from the Welling penalty area and slid the ball on the blindside of Maxwell Statham to Jordan Ragguette, who fired the ball into the far side net with conviction, beating Lovett.

The visitor’s response was quick, substitute Alexandrou went down just inside the Wiltshire side’s box and was adjudged to be fouled by Liam Corbett the referee. Kennedy dispatched the spot kick confidently to half the deficit (74^th).

Minutes later, Perez was brought down in the Welling area after producing some tidy footwork to beat his man. Liam Corbett blew his whistle once again; Salisbury awarded a penalty.

Coppin casually stroked the ball home, sending Lovett the wrong way to extend the host’s lead (88^th).

The game finished Salisbury FC 3-1 Welling United, a result that puts the teams equal on points, Salisbury ahead on goal difference.