Salisbury Vs Tiverton Town - Match Report

Upon arrival, the Ray Mac had a dark cloud hovering above the pitch with a shadow that elongated from one side to the other.

However, there was one ray of bright sunshine that shone down onto the Salisbury squad as they warmed up.

Perhaps a reminder of their previous results.

As the game kicked off you would've thought you were watching a game of volleyball...

Headers and aerial balls were a common theme in the first five minutes, but when the whites finally managed to keep their play on the ground, Michael Elias Fernandes won a free kick in a dangerous area.

Unfortunately, it came to nothing.

Just ten minutes later Tiverton decided to try this tactic for themselves and as young full-back Chukwuka Iseguan threaded a ball through, Niall Thompson was there to slot home for the visitors.

The next 20 minutes were scrappy and predominately played in the middle of the park with the home side dominating possession.

However every time Salisbury looked to trouble the visitor's back line, the ball was hoofed back toward the keeper. 

As Tiverton tried to push on and keep the ball for themselves, a good spell of play resulted in a corner which in the end was cleared at the front post and set up for a speedy counterattack.

Thomas McDermott was the man in charge of the sprint and as he carried the ball forward, a late challenge from a Tiverton centre-back bought him down, but not all was lost.

Bobbling across the surface the ball found its way to James Plant who squared up to shoot... Advantage surely referee?!

No.

The ref bought it back for the initial free kick on the corner of the 18-yard box which, understandably, caused uproar in the stand and dugouts.

Nevertheless, Goodship stood over the ball 20 yards away from the target, took aim, and shot.

The flight looked almost certain to nestle into the top corner, but a heroic scramble across his line saw Lewis Williams tip it over the bar.

No other real chances came from the next 10 minutes of football.

The whites finished the half 1-0 down.

When the second half started Tiverton had a chance to double their lead as a low cross fell to the feet of Dylan Jones.

However, that spark was quickly dampened when the winger ballooned his shot over the bar.

Something about that phase woke Salisbury up as for the next 15 minutes the Whites created chances whilst also playing some lovely football.

Especially on the left-hand side when Fernandes and Plant combined to cross it into Goodship whose header flew narrowly over the bar. 

Just moments later the striker was on the end of another cross, this time his effort parried away by the keeper. 

Unfortunately for Salisbury, that's all they could muster up for the rest of the half and as time was passed and wasted, the full-time whistle blew.

Salisbury 0 - 1 Tiverton.

A tough day at the office for Brian Dutton as on a different day some of those chances go in for his side, but he must now rally the group together and prepare for their trip against Metropolitan Police next week.