Salisbury FC will kick off their Southern League Premier South season with an early challenge against Beaconsfield Town at the Ray Mac Stadium.
A summer of change will hopefully make Salisbury play-off contenders this season, and with Beaconsfield looking to build on a mid-table finish last campaign, the opening game will prove a good test for both teams.
The team from Buckinghamshire travel down in search of early points, but the away side have defended poorly historically - they have never kept a clean sheet against Salisbury FC in official competition.
The addition of two new directors onto the board in May sparked excitement, and since then Salisbury have signed a battalion of 12 new players so far this summer.
After inheriting a mis-matched side when he joined mid-way through last season, manager Brian Dutton hopes that these signings will help him stamp his tactical identity into the squad.
In our pre-season interview, he said: “I kept three or four players from the team I had last season, and in my opinion it needed freshening up.
“When I used to play for the football club, we made the Ray Mac a fortress, and I want to do that again. It’s really important to get the right characters in the building to connect with the fans.”
With multiple of these players set to make their competitive debuts against Beaconsfield, eyes at the Ray Mac will be waiting excitedly for Tom Bragg’s first appearance.
The 6 '1 centre back arrived from Eastleigh, swapping the Spitfires for Salisbury and stepping two divisions down from the Vanarama National League.
Dutton held the ex-Southampton academy player in high regard, saying: “I’m delighted Tom has decided to join us when he had numerous other teams at higher levels vying for his signature.
“Tom is a player who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and wants to progress his career back into full-time football. I feel he will be a fantastic addition to our team.”
Beaconsfield’s recent signing of ex-Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Jacob Gardiner-Smith will give them confidence in getting a result out of their two hour drive down to the Ray Mac.
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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