By Pete Martin – All images by Roger Elliott
Salisbury were unable to make it back-to-back home wins as they went down to a 2-0 defeat to play-off chasing Hayes and Yeading United. Manager Brian Dutton made 2 changes from the victory against North Leigh; Sam Roberts and Seung Yang replacing Nassim Kherbouche and Brandon Goodship.
It was the Whites who threatened first; James Plant cutting in from the left and drawing a free kick, which he then proceeded to curl wide of the upright. It was a first half with very little in the way of quality attacking play from either side, neither side able to fashion many real sights of goal. On 19 minutes, Hayes were awarded a free kick just a yard outside the box, although Reece Cole could only smash it straight into the Salisbury wall. 3 minutes later though they did take the lead and it involved a set piece once more. Aaron McCreadie was adjudged to have bought down Cole just inside the box and, despite a lengthy delay, top scorer Moses Emmanuel stepped up to slot the penalty home. That was about it in terms of goal chances for the half, neither Mark Smith in the Salisbury goal or Hayes custodian Simon Grant called into action before the referee called a halt to what had been a fairly uneventful half.
The second half unfortunately continued in much the same vein; very much a midfield battle with penalty box chances few and far between. On the hour mark, however, a quick throw-in saw Hayes in behind and although Taylor Miles just managed to beat Smith to the ball his poked effort went wide off the post. A couple of changes for either side failed to have much impact on the game, although on 74 minutes Hayes substitute Roger James smashed a cross/shot wide of the post when fed in behind by Emmanuel. With 6 minutes of normal time remaining the away side were awarded a second penalty when Jamie Hanlon was bought down in the area. Emmanuel again stepped up and his well-struck effort gave Smith no chance as he doubled his and his team’s tally. Deep into injury time both teams had chances to add further goals to the game but first Emmanuel headed against the bar before substitute Goodship curled a free kick over the bar with the very last kick of the game.
Salisbury are back on the road this Saturday, 26th March when they travel to Plymouth to face title challengers Truro City in a 3 pm kick-off.
Team: Smith, Brooks C, Sommerton, Roberts(Perez-Duah), Ogundega, Bosma, McCreadie, Yang(Goodship), Plant, Arnold D, Fitchett(Arnold C).
Unused Subs: Benfield, Roocroft
