Andy Munns
Salisbury continued their good start to the season and became the first side to take all three points from the Ian Moorcroft Stadium this season.
A brace from Noah Coppin and a third added by Charlie Gunson brought all three points back to Wiltshire after a fine away performance from Brian Dutton’s side.
Brian Dutton made three changes to the side that narrowly beat Walton & Hersham on Saturday ahead of a busy week for the Whites. Dan Fitchett, Devon Arnold and Theo Lewis coming in for Hedges, Jamar Smith and the injured Aaron McCreadie.
Salisbury got off to a blistering start and took the lead after just 3 minutes. A shot from Theo Lewis rebounded back of the post; Noah Coppin was the fastest to react, sliding in to put the ball in the back of the net.
The game settled down from there as Tiverton found their foothold in the game, and as the half progressed, they started to have more possession.
Just after the midway point of the first half, Tiverton got their goal, Richards scoring from a corner after 26 minutes.
Both sides had chances to take the lead as the game headed toward halftime. First, Josh Gould made a good save from Thompson for Tivvy and Theo Lewis, volleying just wide the pick of the chances.
Level at half-time, Salisbury made a double change, with Devon Arnold and Theo Lewis making way for Jamar Smith and Josh Hedges.
The second half started in scrappy fashion, but Salisbury started to take control of the ball and eventually started to create chances.
Charlie Gunson went close twice, first with a strike from distance that went just wide on 72 minutes and then had an effort cleared off the line 3 minutes later.
Tivvy had the occasional break, but it was Salisbury who were dominating possession, but it took until the 85th minute for the deadlock to be broken.
Josh Hedges went down the right wing and put over a cross that Noah Coppin headed down, across goal and into the back of the net.
Just two minutes later, Salisbury put the game to bed when Charlie Gunson burst through the Tiverton defence and slotted into the bottom corner to ensure all three points.
Salisbury made a late change with Josh Squires making his first appearance after signing on loan from Southampton’s youth set-up earlier in the day.
The Whites sit fourth in the Southern League Premier South, unbeaten since the start of the season on 18 points, having won their last three games in all competitions.
Brian Dutton’s side are on their travels again on Saturday, this time in the FA Cup, with a 420-mile round trip to take on Mousehole AFC in the second qualifying round.
Feature Image by David Wells
