Whites end the season with a draw against champions

Monday, 24 April 2023 01:00

Salisbury FC rounded off their season with a draw against newly crowned Southern League Premier South League champions, Weston-super-Mare.

With Weston clinching the title following their win last Tuesday, you could excuse the error that led to Devon Arnold's opener, but the champions equalised through James Dodd midway through the second half.

Salisbury started brightly with Weston's minds probably elsewhere, especially that of 'keeper Luke Purnell who was robbed of the ball by Arnold when he delayed for too long. Arnold then tapped home to delight the large home crowd.

Image: Andrew Palk

Weston came closest via a Dayle Grubb free-kick inside ten minutes, but he couldn't keep it down.

The game settled into a quiet possession game, with the champions enjoying long spells with the ball but not threatening the Salisbury goal too much.

Arnold almost doubled his and Salisbury's tally as the half drew to a close. A strong run carried him into the box, but his shot clipped the bar on its way over, and the score remained 1-0 at halftime.

The second half started slowly, with neither team troubling the other side's 'keeper until Weston got their equaliser on 71 minutes.

Salisbury were undone by a well-worked corner which was flicked on at the near post, and Dodd bundled home at the back post.

The goal sparked the game into life, and Weston almost took the lead 2 minutes later, but Smith in the Salisbury goal was on hand to deny a fierce Noah Coppin effort.

Salisbury almost snatched a win with the game headed towards its conclusion, but Bouwe Bosma saw his strike headed off the line.

The season ends with Brian Dutton's side 15th in the table. The club and its supporters will hope for some new signings and a good pre-season heading into the new campaign in August.

After the game, club stalwart and long-serving kit man Mickey Western was presented with a special recognition award by the supporters club. Mickey has worked for the current club and its previous incarnation and is much appreciated by the players, staff and supporters for his tireless hard work.

Other winners were:

Young Player of the Year - Devon Arnold Supporters Player of the Year - Josh Sommerton. Players Player of the Year - Josh Sommerton