Andy Munns
Salisbury FC have returned to winning ways after two back-to-back defeats after a 2-1 home win against Hendon FC.
The win, with goals from Josh Hedges and Harry Williams, saw Salisbury go back to the top of the table after Chesham slipped up away at Plymouth Parkway.
Salisbury got off to a bright start, with Williams testing Bradley House in the Hendon goal in the first few minutes. Then again, saving from Dan Fitchett just a couple of minutes later.
Salisbury took the lead after 21 minutes after some good build-up play.
It started from the back as Gould hit a long ball forward to find Hedges, who drove forward and set up Williams. Again, House was on hand to deny the Salisbury forward, but his save only fell to Josh Hedges, who had continued his movement forward, and he smashed the ball home.
Salisbury’s lead was short-lived, however, as Hendon responded quickly. Joe White levelled things up with his head from close range on 25 minutes.
The flurry of goals wasn’t over, though, and as it turned out, Salisbury decisively retook their lead just 3 minutes later through Harry Williams.
The Salisbury forward picked up the ball on the edge of the box, took a couple of touches and finished well into the bottom corner.
Hendon looked to get back into the game once more but were unable to before halftime, Salisbury leading 2-1.
The away side came out for the second half embattled and looking for the equaliser with a combination of good defending and excellent goalkeeping to keep them at bay.
Legget cleared one off the line on the hour before Josh Gould produced a top draw save to deny Hamza Semakula just a few moments later.
Salisbury were playing on the break but were unable to take any of the chances to make the scoreline feel more comfortable.
An excellent rear guard effort paid off as they stood firm and returned to winning ways and went back three points clear at the top of the table.
Brian Dutton told the club’s website, “I think it was a tale of two halves. Really pleased with the lads’ first half and the reaction, and I thought we were very good and well worthy of winning the game for the performance.
“Second half I didn’t think we started well; we invited the pressure onto us. We were a little bit fortunate, I think, with the pressure they probably deserved something from the game.”
Salisbury are away next Saturday. They travel to Hungerford Town for a 3 pm kick-off before returning home on Boxing Day for the Cathedral City derby against Winchester City, also a 3 pm kick-off.
Tickets for the Boxing Day game are available from the club website – https://salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets/
Feature Image: Andrew Palk
