Andy Munns
Brian Dutton’s side gained their first-ever win over Metropolitan Police on Saturday and did it with ten men.
Goals from Tommy McDermott (x2) and Dan Fitchett gave Salisbury all three points despite James Plant being shown a red card in the first half.
Salisbury got off to a fast start and were ahead within five minutes.
A half-cleared corner fell to Tommy McDermott, whose shot slipped through Beach’s hands and trickled over the line.
The game settled down as the half progressed, with Salisbury creating the better opportunities, both Mcreadie, Plant and Fitchett unable to find the target.
Salisbury’s challenge became even harder after the referee showed James Plant a second yellow card after it appeared he had been fouled on the 33-minute mark.
Despite the man advantage, Met Police didn’t create much until added minute at the end of the first half.
Birch will have felt he should have done better with a header from a Knight cross as the first half came to an end.
1-0 down, the home side came out with attacking intent at the start of the second half and were unlucky not to draw level on 53 minutes.
Taylor-Crossdale was found inside the box after a cleverly worked freekick, his well-struck shot crashed off the crossbar,
Salisbury also hit the woodwork through Mcreadie before doubling their lead on 69 minutes.
It was McDermott at the double; the Port Vale loanee cut in from the right before curling a shot past Beach into the far corner.
Dan Fitchett was the man who grabbed Salisbury’s third as Met Police failed to clear a corner, and the man on the line was unable to block Fitchett’s shot just four minutes later.
Met Police never really threatened to get themselves back in the game, and Dutton’s side saw the game out comfortably.
Salisbury are away again on Tuesday (7th March) as they travel to Bracknell Town for a 7:45 kick-off and then Gosport Borough, also away on Saturday (11th March)
Meanwhile, Salisbury FC Women ran out 10-1 winners away at Calne Town in the Wiltshire League Womens Cup on Sunday.
