We have a bit of extra time on our hands at the moment, with
football having been suspended for the foreseeable future, so we thought that we
would look back through the photographs of the current season before it was so suddenly
interrupted.
We aim to feature one of the Club’s players from time to
time, starting with the popular goal machine and leading goal scorer Toby
Holmes.
We hope that these articles will go some way to make up for
the lack of pitch action and whet your appetite for its return, whenever that
will be.
Popular goal machine Toby Holmes.
1
Toby celebrates his second goal against Yate Town during Salisbury’s 3-2 win at the Ray Mac on 26 August. He had already laid down a marker, having grabbed two goals in the 4-1 thrashing of Dorchester a week earlier.
2
He went on to complete a hat trick in the Yate game – and here he acknowledges the deserved applause of the Ray Mac fans.
3
He was soon on the scoresheet again, slotting home Salisbury’s second goal during the tense 3-2 FA Cup victory at Thatcham Town on 7 September.
4
Is there no end to his skills? Probably because he was the tallest outfield player left on the pitch (sorry Toby), he took over in goal during the match on 28 September against Hartley Wintney, following the unfortunate injury to goalkeeper Tom Smith. The match ended at 2-0 to the Whites, so he even had a coveted clean sheet to his credit! If you ask him whether he enjoyed the experience…..well……! He followed that with another goal at Met Police, but that was all to no avail, as the men in blue grabbed three. For Mr Holmes there followed a comparative drought but he got back into scoring ways at Amesbury Town – a good place to regain confidence – getting the Whites’ last goal in a 5-1 win. A poacher’s finish at Hendon kept him on track but he then went into hibernation until 29th October, before Dorchester were again put to the sword with Toby getting an early opener.
5
However, not even his probing runs could break the deadlock during the scoreless draw against Farnborough a few days later, but he then saw the Whites through to the 3rd Qualifying Round of the FA Trophy, notching both goals in a narrow 2-1 win over Kings Langley on 9 November.
6
Wherever Toby goes, he always receives plenty of attention from opposition defenders – sometimes they get closer than the Hayes & Yeading player seen here – but that defender made the mistake of not keeping up his concentration into added time as the striker scored a vital winning goal to see Salisbury into the Trophy’s fourth round, winning 4-3.
7
Disappointingly, the lads lost 2-1 at Walton Casuals on 30 November, with Toby and everybody else closely marked throughout … but he was soon back on the goal trail with an early strike at Eastbourne in the Trophy where the Whites drew 2-2.
8
Eastbourne’s goalie retrieves the ball from the back of the net after Toby scored at Eastbourne in the FA Trophy match on 14 December.
9
In the meantime, he was still working hard getting away from defenders and creating space for others, as during Salisbury’s 2-1 victory against Poole Town on 21 December. A sweet result even without a goal from him, over our local rivals
10
Toby blasts a header past the goalkeeper in scoring the Whites’ second goal at the Ray Mac against Chesham United on 4 January in an impressive 3-2 victory. Happy New Year everyone!
11
Things then went comparatively quiet for the marksman, and it was not until 25 January that he again appeared amongst the scorers in a 5-0 league win at … guess where … Dorchester! (They must love him to bits!).
Toby seems camera-shy but not shy of the net, with his opener, striking not only the first goal but also his regular pose afterwards.
12
A common sight, but no goal for Toby this time, as we drew 2-2 at home against Tiverton on 1 February in a typically tough match. Although many thought it should have been three points on that occasion to add to the two gained, or maybe rather one point lost, at Ladysmead back in August, we had to settle for two points from the two meetings between the sides – and of course, so did they!
13
Close thing! Toby avoids the goalkeeper during the 3-2 loss at Metropolitan Police on 8 February. The Met once again proved something of a bogey team for the Whites at Imber Court. Hopefully the fortunes will change in future meetings.
14
Steve Claridge looks on as Toby battles his way down the wing during the 2-0 win against Hendon on 22 February.
15
Yes! Celebrating scoring Salisbury’s second goal during the same match against Hendon, who are obviously another of his favourite opponents.
16
Always on the attack – Toby hassles the goalkeeper during the goalless draw against Gosport Borough on 25 February.
17
A sociable type, he always makes friends during games – here during the 2-1 victory against Merthyr Town on 7 March he allows the opposition some cuddle time, although of course at the moment that would have to go because of social distancing!
18
In the 2-2 draw at Harrow Borough that saw all 4 goals scored from the penalty spot, Toby feels hard done by …. he didn’t get the chance to take one himself! As the season was forced to a premature end prior to the Truro game, it makes you wonder what his end of season goalscoring record would have looked like. With at least twelve games remaining he had already netted 20 goals, and is the season’s top scorer by a mile! Not only for him, but also for supporters the campaign is an unfinished symphony, so watch out opposition defenders when it all starts up again! Be there to see it!
All images are reproduced by kind permission of our photographers, Michael Berkeley and Roger Elliott and are copyright, so they should not be reproduced. Please seek agreement should you wish to do so, by contacting our Press Officer Alec Hayter on [email protected] or on 07884477168 when any requests can be forwarded. The Club would like to thank Michael and Roger for the images, Alec for some of the words, and Ian Pearson for his website expertise, as part of the effort to alleviate football withdrawal symptoms! Roll on next kick off!
BONUS CONTENT!
My kids have been missing their visits to the Ray Mac and our road trips to away games. They regularly burst into song around the house with various chants from the terrace. One of their favourites is the one we sing about Toby Holmes to the tune of John Denver’s 1971 hit “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. Why not have a sing-a-long and imagine you’re belting it out at the Ray Mac. COME ON YOU WHITES.
