By Pete Martin
Salisbury got their Pitching In Southern League Premier South campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory at home to Beaconsfield Town. The Whites team contained 3 debutants in summer signings Dinesh Gillela, Ben Thomson and Brandon Goodship, as well as a 2nd debut for returning keeper Gerard Benfield.
Salisbury nearly got off to the perfect start when in the 1st minute of the match Devon Arnold got in behind and his ball across was narrowly headed wide for a corner by the Beaconsfield defence. With nothing coming from that subsequent corner the game settled down with not much else in the way of penalty box action in the first 15 minutes. The away side’s 1st opportunity arrived shortly after a quarter of an hour when a ball from the left saw Nathan Minhas force a fine save from Benfield, although a late offside flag would have ruled the effort out had it gone in.
It wasn’t until 30 minutes into the game that there was any more action of note and Beaconsfield will have been wondering how they didn’t twice take the lead. Firstly a long cross-field ball found right back Callum Webb in an advanced position and after he put a dangerous ball across the box Minhas couldn’t connect properly when un-marked only 5 yards out. Just a minute later the same player flicked the ball goalwards from a left-wing cross, only to see a combination of the post and Benfield keep the ball out with Aaron Minhas unable to convert the follow-up. 3 minutes before half time The Whites could have taken the lead when a long ball from Benfield was flicked on by Marvin Brooks with Goodship unable to find the target when attempting to lob the ball over keeper Ravan Constable.
The home side started the 2nd half very brightly and came forward early with nobody able to get on the end of a dangerous ball across the box from Goodship, but what turned out to be the winning goal arrived after 51 minutes. A fantastic run from midfield by Arnold saw him lose control of the ball a couple of times, but his refusal to give up the cause and sheer determination saw him pinch the ball back before laying it inside to Thomson who took a touch and slotted the ball home left-footed from 12 yards out. It could have got even better for the Whites 4 minutes later but Thomson found himself crowded out when put in by Goodship before Arnold drove the loose ball narrowly wide of the goal.
Further half chances for Thomson, Arnold and Goodship went unrewarded before Beaconsfield saw a flurry of chances of their own. Firstly Aaron Minhas put a header wide before home defender Charlie Davis was in the right place to clear off the line from a corner. Most of the play was taking place deep inside the Salisbury half but the Whites did see a strong shout for a penalty turned down on 84 minutes when substitute Ryan Penny appeared to be bought down in the box. 2 minutes later Salisbury were indebted to Benfield for keeping the points as he made 4 fine saves inside a 90 second period. Louis Walsh twice, and Daniel Bradshaw were the unlucky attacking players denied but the pick of the saves saw Nathan Minhas unable to believe he hadn’t scored when flicking the ball goalwards from close range. As the game ticked into time added on Benfield again saved from Minhas whilst at the other end Josh Sommerton was unable to get his shot on target after a strong drive into the box from the left-hand side.
The result sees Salisbury pick up their 1st opening day win for 5 seasons and should see them head to last year’s play-off final losers Hayes and Yeading in a confident mood. That game is next Saturday 13th August, kick off 3 pm.
Team: Benfield, Gillela, Roberts, Sommerton, Diaz, Davis, Mullings, Brooks M(Wakefield), Arnold, Goodship(Penny), Thomson(Fitchett).
Unused Subs: Gunstone-Grey, Savage.
