Andy Munns
An injury-ravaged side dropped more points late on against Didcot Town on Saturday.
Once again, Salisbury scored late on with James Harding’s cheeky finish in the 92nd minute, but like last weekend, there was a late sting in the tale as Didcot equalised just minutes later.
Brian Dutton isn’t having much luck with injuries in his squad at the moment, with a string of players missing from the squad, and the Salisbury boss was only able to name three substitutes, one of which was player/coach Theo Lewis.
Dan Fitchett, Noah Coppin, Aaron McCreadie, Harry Lee, and Josh Somerton are among the key players currently missing from the Salisbury squad, leaving Dutton to patch up the side going into the game.
The game started at a good pace, with both sides seeing the ball, but a poor piece of play from Aaron Simpson led to the opening goal.
Simpson lost possession in the right back area, and Didcot quickly worked the ball to Sam Barder, who unleashed from around 30 yards to send his strike into the top left-hand corner in the 10th minute.
Salisbury fought back, and Wayne Robinson had the best chance to get Salisbury’s level when he broke into the box, but Leigh Bedwell pushed his effort behind in the Didcot goal.
The equaliser that Salisbury were pushing for came in the 27th minute. James Harding did well first to hold the ball up, and then his ball into the box found its way to Charlie Gunson. Gunson worked the ball onto his right foot and then powered the ball home from 12 yards.
At half-time level, Salisbury tweaked their shape slightly and saw more of the ball.
Harding had been working hard all game with little luck, but he almost gave Salisbury the lead in the 54th minute. Wayne Robinson flashed the ball across the six-yard box, but a stretching Harding couldn’t quite make contact to poke the ball home.
Salisbury continued to huff and puff without ever really worrying the Didcot goal until the 92nd minute.
Jamar Smith and Charlie Gunson worked the ball on the right-hand side before the ball was put into the danger area, and James Harding nipped in front of everyone, backheeling the ball into the back of the net in front of the Salisbury supporters.
Deja vu struck, though, as Salisbury dropped deeper and deeper, and after a series of long balls and throws into the box, Didcot found their equaliser in the 97th minute.
Sam Barder launched a long throw into the box, which the Salisbury defence were unable to deal with, and after a scramble, defender Cameron McNeill stabbed home to steal a late point for Didcot.
Dutton was frustrated after the game:
Up next for Salisbury is a long trip to Plymouth Parkway next Saturday (March 2nd) before welcoming table toppers Chesham United to the Ray Mac on Saturday, March 9th.
