Whites scrap to season-opening win

Monday, 8 August 2022 01:00

Salisbury FC opened their Southern League Premier South season with a scrappy win. The victory gives the Whites their first opening day win since 2017.

Ben Thompson scored the only goal of the game on 51 minutes after some good battling by Devon Arnold down the right.

Steve Claridge’s men could have got off to a flyer had Devon Arnolds first minute chance not been blocked. That moment was the bright mark for the home side in a scrappy first half.

Beaconsfield could and should have taken the lead when Nathan Minhas failed to connect with a Callum Webb cross properly. Minhas was then denied shortly after with a good save coming from Gerard Benfield the striker’s flicked header.

With the game goalless at halftime, it was once again the home side who started brightly at the start of the second period.

Image: Andrew Palk

Salisbury broke the deadlock after 51 minutes. Devon Arnold the architect as he fought, battled and persisted forcing the ball down the right-hand side of the penalty area. After losing possession he prevented the clearance and regained the ball. He laid off for Ben Thompson who cut in from the right. Thompson then slotted coolly, left-footed into the far corner beyond Constable in the Beaconsfield goal.

Here's the winning goal from @_Benjthomson_ to take all three points in our season opener against Beaconsfield Town. COYW. pic.twitter.com/tVi9B0S7dq
— Salisbury FC (@SalisburyFC) August 7, 2022

Salisbury had half chances to extend their league before they started to drop deeper. Beaconsfield started to push for an equaliser but a string of fine saves from Benfield kept the away team at bay.

Image: Andrew Palk

Salisbury saw out the game in front of a crowd of 402 to get their season off to a winning start.

Next up for the Whites is a tricky away trip to Hayes and Yeading on Saturday (13th August).

Feature Image: Andrew Palk

For the latest local news and sport in Salisbury like Love Salisbury on Facebook or tune into Salisbury Radio on DAB or online.

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