Reece Barrett
Salisbury FC look to make it three wins on the bounce as they travel just above London to play Hendon FC in Southern League Premier South action.
Wins against AFC Totton and Swindon Supermarine, 2-0 and 3-2 respectively, have put Salisbury third in the league – still undefeated since the season started three games ago.
A win against Hendon could put the Whites top of the table if results go their way elsewhere. Salisbury will be in buoyant mood after their good start to the season, manager Brian Dutton will be hopeful that his side can walk away with the victory.
However, in an interview with the club last week, the manager did warn that there was still work to do, saying: “It will take time for the squad to mature and build cohesion.
“We’ve still got to dig in, grind it out, kill the space, land on second balls and do the ugly side (of the game). As a starting point, I’m really pleased.”
This is a fixture that always promises goals, with 16 goals being scored in the last three games between the Whites and Hendon.
However, this meeting is sure to be different from Salisbury’s convincing 4-1 win in April – only three players from that starting line-up (Arnold, McCreadie and Sommerton) are still with the club following Dutton’s summer rebuild.
Regardless, Salisbury are in fine form at the moment, bagging an average of two goals a game so far this campaign.
Centre back and new skipper Sido Jombati has made a captain’s contribution to that statistic: scoring three penalties in as many games.
READ: Salisbury grab all three points after a good battle
While the Whites are flying high in third, Hendon are also unbeaten this season – finding themselves two points behind in 10th place after beating Sholing on opening day and picking up draws against Poole Town and Beaconsfield Town.
They have not beaten Salisbury since 2021, though, and they will hope that Joseph White – who has also scored three already this season – can lead the line in what could be a high-scoring affair.
Andy Munns
