Whites produce stunning comeback to draw away at Weymouth

Salisbury came from two goals down at half time to draw away at Weymouth on Good Friday.

A late goal from Josh Sommerton added to Ronan Silva's 55th-minute goal to salvage a point after the Terras had let at the break thanks to goals from Tom Bearwish and Jake McCarthy. 

Salisbury started the game brightly, creating half chances, but didn't test Buse in the Weymouth goal until an effort from distance from Ragguette was saved low down to his left on the 11th minute. 

The next real opening fell to Weymouth, and they took their first big chance of the game when Tom Bearwish thrashed the ball past Byrne after the ball fell to him in the box after a big looping cross from Genesini. 

Salisbury almost equalised from the kick off when Ragguette was found in the box after a good break down the right. Brown's ball fell to Ragguette, who took a touch before shooting, giving Genesini enough time to get across and block his effort. 

There was a delay in play when there was a big clash between Weymouth's keeper, Buse, and Craig Fasanmade. Buse got to the ball first as it bounced in behind the Weymouth back line, and then he and Fasanmade collided. The Salisbury forward came off worse and received treatment on the pitch for a couple of minutes before being replaced by Josh Hedges with 35 minutes played. 

Salisbury then created their best chance of the game in the 39th minute. Brown again caused trouble down the right and picked out Ronan Silva in the box. Silva, however, couldn't sort his feet out to get a shot away and Weymouth were able to clear. 

The Terras made Salisbury pay for missing their chances and doubled their lead with a cracking finish when Jake McCarthy's volley from the edge of the box found its way into the back of the net off the underside of the bar in the 41st minute. 

The home side almost made it three when Brandon Goodship struck the post, but Salisbury survived with a chance to re-group at half time. 

Brian Dutton made his second change at the start of the second half, with Tom Leggett replacing Callum Watts as his side came out with a big job on their hands. 

That job almost became bigger, if it wasn't for a super save from Rhys Byrne, Malachi Linton would have made it three, but the Salisbury stopper stuck out a big, strong hand to deny the Weymouth forward. 

Salisbury immediately broke down the end and Lewis brown broke into the box, but his effort was blocked behind for a corner. From the corner, the Whites gave themselves a foothold in the game when Ronan Silva reacted quickest to head home as the ball dropped in the box after a bit of a scramble in the 55th minute. 

Josh Hedges raced through on goal five minutes later and came together with Will Buse inside the box -there were big appeals from the Salisbury players and supporters behind the goal, but referee Lewis Sandoe waved away the penalty appeals. 

Weymouth were dangerous on the break, however, with both Brandon Goodship and Linton going close to restoring a two goal advantage. 

The homeside were made to rue their missed chances, though, as Salisbury levelled with two minutes of the 90 remaining. This time, it was Josh Sommerton getting his head to the ball in the box; his goalbound header took a flick off a Weymouth defender as it headed for the back of the net. 

There was still time for Weymouth almost to win the game, but Karlos Gregory and Rhys Byrne combined to block from Goodship as he broke into the box on a counterattack in stoppage time. 

The game ended in a draw and with Salisbury preserving their three-point advantage over St Albans, who occupy the final relegation place. 

Up next for Brian Dutton and his side is the visit of Eastbourne Borough to the Ray Mac on Monday, 21st April - kick off at 3pm. 

Tickets are available on the club website - https://www.salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets/