Salisbury travel to Essex for big six-pointer against Aveley

There is no rest for Salisbury FC as the squad are on the road again this evening (Monday 3rd March) to face Aveley in a crucial Vanarama National League South fixture.

Brian Dutton's squad have been dragged into a relegation battle, and only four points separate Salisbury and the relegation places as the season heads into its final chapter.

They travel to Essex to face Aveley, who currently sit bottom of the table on 23 points and are fighting for their lives in the league.It may come as a shock to some that they finished 7th and in the playoffs last season.

This season, however, Aveley has only won six of its 35 matches and conceded the second-highest number of goals (65). Only Weymouth (32) and Bath (31) have scored less than the 36 they have mustered.

This is the first time the two clubs have ever met, and they only now play for the first time this season after the initial fixture was postponed due to Salisbury's progress in the FA Trophy. The game was moved from Saturday, January 4th, and then rearranged again due to a Wiltshire Premier Shield fixture.

Both sides come into the game in poor form, each with one win in their last six matches. Aveley's one win came away at Maidstone United on Tuesday, 11th February, whilst Salisbury's was also an away win at Weston-super-Mare the same evening.

Neither side has won since then, although Salisbury picked up the 2-2 draw away at Chesham United in that time.

Like Salisbury, Aveley lost on Saturday. They were beaten at home by Hampton & Richmond with all the goals coming in a frenetic four-minute spell at Parkside.

Hampton took the lead through Archy Taylor in the 67th minute before Aveley equalised, thanks to a Harry Beadle goal just two minutes later. Parity only lasted two minutes as Zanda Sizba condemned Aveley to defeat when he scored what turned out to be the winner in the 71st minute.

Danny Scopes said he was frustrated and disappointed after the match:

Salisbury were beaten on Saturday by a Maidstone United side battling for a place in the playoff places away at the Gallagher Stadium.

Maidstone took the lead in the 17th minute through George Fowler, before Lewis Brown levelled for the Whites as the game approached the half hour.

Salisbury then took the lead when Ronan Silva smashed home from close range in the 52nd minute. The lead only lasted five minutes, though, as Maidstone piled on the pressure, and they were awarded a soft penalty just five minutes later.

Ben Brookes stepped up and confidently struck the ball beyond Rhys Byrne. There was also some luck for Maidstones' winner when a Salisbury clearance ricocheted kindly into the path of Sol Wanjau-Smith, whose effort of goal was deflected past Byrne to win all three points for the hosts.

Brian Dutton was pleased by his side's performance despite the defeat:

For those unable to make the fixture, full live commentary will be available on Salisbury Radio Sport from around 7:30 pm with full match commentary with Toby Pike and Ian Pearson on duty.

You can listen live on the website - https://www.salisburyradio.co.uk/player/salisbury-radio-sport/ on the Salisbury Radio app or by asking your Amazon smart speaker to 'Play Salisbury Radio Sport'.