Salisbury's 10-men beaten by Chelmsford City

Salisbury were unable to continue their form from their midweek win against Weston-super-Mare and were beaten by Chelmsford City.

Two goals from Kane Crichlow in the first half and Joe Rye added the third in the second half were enough to give all three points against 10-man Salisbury, despite a late Karlos Gregory consolation goal.

Chelmsford came out quickly at the start of the game and led within the first five minutes when Kane Crichlow curled past Rhys Byrne from the edge of the box.

Salisbury’s afternoon was made much harder when Finn Tonks reacted to Charlie Ruff, and referee Marytn Mitchell deemed it a straight red card with just 18 minutes played.

Salisbury could have been further behind but for a superb double save from Byrne. The loanee keeper did well to deny first Jazzi Barnham-Bobb had a free header at the back post. Byrne made his ground across the goal, blocking away the header. He then saved the follow-up from Nico Valentine with his feet.

Chelmsford did then extend their lead just a couple of minutes later when, in the 42nd minute, Kane Crichlow smashed home his second of the game. The Clarets forward was allowed to roam into the box after some good interplay and hit a drive from 8 yards that crashed into the top of the net.

Salisbury looked to regroup at halftime whilst trailing by two goals to nil, and Brian Dutton brought on Noah Coppin, replacing Jaden Perez.

The visitors put the game beyond doubt when a free kick swung in from the right-hand side and evaded everyone until Joe Rye arrived to bundle the ball past Byrne at the back post in the 64th minute.

Salisbury had a chance to reduce the deficit when Josh Sommerton was bundled over in the box in the 80th minute. Noah Coppin stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but Ted Collins saved with his feet, denying The Whites a way back into the game.

The home side did keep pushing and did finally get a goal when Karlos Gregory curled a beauty into the top left-hand corner from the edge of the box.

It was too little, too late, however, and Salisbury were beaten, and the gap between them and the relegation zone is tightening.

Salisbury now travel to Buckinghamshire on Tuesday evening for the rearranged fixture with Chesham United – kick off at 7:45pm with full commentary on Salisbury Radio Sport.