Andy Munns
Salisbury beat top-of-the-table Chesham United on Saturday as the top two in the Southern League Premier South clashed.
A goal from Noah Coppin and a brace from Josh Hedges saw the Whites come away with all three points in front of 1186 supporters at the Ray Mac.
Chesham arrived having gone unbeaten in 13 games, with 11 wins and 2 draws, which has created a big gap at the top of the table.
Salisbury have been stuttering a bit lately, but they strengthened their squad in the week with the arrivals of Jack Ball and Levi Irving. They also welcomed back several players from injury.
Harry Lee, Noah Coppin and Dan Fitchett returned to the starting lineup, joined by Ball, allowing Tom Leggett to move back into midfield.
Salisbury got off to a great start when, inside 5 minutes, Noah Coppin gave the home fans their first moment of joy of the afternoon. Coppin pounced on a defensive slip and reversed the ball past Oualah in the Chesham goal.
Neither ‘keeper had too much work to do for the remainder of the half with defences on top and both sides keeping each other at arms length, Salisbury leading 1-0 at the break.
Early in the second half, Chesham felt like they should have had a penalty as Harry Lee challenged Zak Joseph, but the referee and his assistant waved away the appeals and awarded Chesham a corner.
It was then the Chesham’s ‘keeper drawing attention on 61 minutes as Oualah produced an outstanding save to deny Fitchett’s effort from a diving header.
Salisbury doubled their lead just minutes later. On 63 minutes, Josh Hedges finished superbly low into the bottom corner after being teed up by Ryan Penny.
The home side started to drop deeper and Chesham had a lot of the ball, but were still struggling to truly test Lee in the Salisbury goal but they were presented with a chance to equalise midway through the half.
Clayton was tripped whilst in the box and upstepped Ricardo German, who stroked past Lee for his 32nd goal of the season.
Chesham continued to push, looking for the equaliser, and with Salisbury dropping deeper to defend their lead, the league leaders sent their ‘keeper forward at set pieces to add an extra man.
This was their undoing as Salisbury broke deep in time added on, and the ball found Josh Hedges through on goal with no one to beat; he celebrated before he stroked home, peeled off his shirt and celebrated with the supporters behind the goal.
The goal sealed the win in the final moments and was Chesham’s first defeat of 2024 and Salisbury narrowed the lead at the top to 12 points with nine games remaining.
The two sides meet again in early April. Up next is the visit of Merthyr Town to the Ray Mac on Saturday as the Whites continue to push for promotion. Tickets are available on the club’s website – https://salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets
The game is also part of Salisbury Radio’s Big Easter Appeal, as you can Bring a Tin to the Match to support our foodbank and pantries – more details here – https://salisburyradio.co.uk/easter-appeal/
