Reece Barrett
Salisbury FC meet an in-form Gosport Borough in the first of two consecutive clashes, with the knock-out match taking place at The Aerial Direct Stadium in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round.
Not only is a spot in the First Round proper up for grabs, but the winner will surely have the mental edge when Gosport travel to The Raymond McEnhill Stadium for a Southern League Premier South fixture the week after.
After a 3-0 loss on Tuesday to Slough Town in their FA Cup Third Qualifying Round replay, Salisbury travel to the south coast in search of getting back to winning ways in a fresh competition.
This is the first FA Trophy game of the season for both clubs. All 88 Step Three clubs enter the competition in the third and final round of qualifying, with Step Two and One clubs joining in the Second and Third Round, respectively.
Beating Gosport will be no easy task, though – they are top of the Southern League Premier South and have only lost one of their ten league games this season.
They have only conceded six goals within those ten fixtures, unsurprisingly the least conceded in the division.
They did, however, lose to Welling United 4-2 on Wednesday in an FA Cup replay, and with their defender Harvey Rew picking up an injury, there are now at least five first-team Gosport players out injured.
Gosport co-manager Pat Suraci acknowledged the injury crisis in an interview with the club: “I wouldn’t say we’re threadbare, but we can’t afford too many more injuries.
“It’s just about gauging who’s fit, and we’ll pick a team that’s fit to play and reassess after that.”
After reforming in 2015, Salisbury FC’s best finish in the FA Trophy was in the second round, which they reached in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons. On the other hand, Salisbury City once reached the semi-finals in 2009/10, where they lost to eventual winners Barrow across two legs.
The Whites lost in the Third Qualifying Round last season in a 1-0 loss to Truro and will want to right the last campaign’s wrongs this time.
Salisbury have also announced the re-signing of striker Sam Ashton. Brian Dutton told the club website, “I’m absolutely delighted to have Sam back at the Ray Mac. Sam has proven himself with eight goals in 10 games this season and has shown he’s over his serious injury from last season.
“So when there was an opportunity to bring Sam back home, it was a no-brainer.
“I think Sam is a perfect fit for our team and can’t wait to see him back in a White’s shirt.“
Andy Munns
