Salisbury FC bounced back to winning ways with a comprehensive 6-2 victory over an in form Yate Town side.

The away side had picked up 19 points from the last 21 available to them, but were no match for Steve Claridge’s rampant side.

The Whites manager made two changes to his side, Lewis Benson returning in place of Claudio Herbert and Eddie Perrett in for Olly Mehew as Salisbury switched back to the 4-4-2 formation that has proved so successful in recent months.

There was also a welcome return to the bench for Chris Shephard following four months out with injury.

The home side were out of the blocks quickly and could have been ahead after two minutes.

Benson released Stuart Green down the right whose cross fell to Kane O’Keefe who found himself crowded out.

The ball broke to Danny Young whose effort was high and wide with the goal at his mercy.

The home crowd did not have long to wait for the first goal.

On 5 minutes a clear handball in the box from a Yate defender resulted in a penalty. Green stepped up but his effort was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Harvey Rivers.

From the resulting corner the ball found its way back to taker Tom Whelan and his low drive from an angle found the bottom corner to open the scoring.

Despite having plenty of the ball it took the home side another 20 minutes to double their lead.

Whelan was again involved; his clever low corner found Aaron Dawson making a good run and his sweetly struck shot on the half volley gave the goalkeeper no chance from 15 yards.

It was the home side who threatened again just after the half hour mark, Benson and Green again linked up well on the right to find O’Keefe in the box, but the skipper could only blaze over.

Three minutes later O’Keefe got his name on the scoresheet. Once again the danger came from the right as Green crossed for his strike partner who rose high and met the ball to make it 3-0.

Despite the best efforts of the Yate defender to clear on the line, referee Colin Hubbard was on hand to decide the ball had clearly crossed the line.

The lack of protestations from the away side shows that he was probably spot on with his call.

That ended the goal mouth action in the first half albeit it all at one end as Yate had barely threatened Tom Roberts in the home goal.

Half time saw Salisbury make a change with Herbert replacing Dawson.

The second half saw the pattern of play continue and on 49 minutes the home side were awarded a second penalty.

Yate captain Charlie Hitchings clearly handled in the area and this time Tom Whelan stepped up to drill the ball home low to the left of the goal.

Six minutes later, a fifth goal arrived. Elliot Wheeler played a lovely ball through to Green and the Salisbury man got his 21st goal of the season courtesy of an exquisite chip over the goalkeeper.

Further half chances arrived through Young and Green but it was the visitors who got the next goal.

On 68 minutes, Yate’s first real attack of the game saw them break well and striker Steve Davis finished off a good move to register a consolation.

The away side got a second 10 minutes later, as Ross Langworthy swept home from 18 yards following another good break.

The home side responded well and Whelan’s 20 yard effort was not held by the goalkeeper with O’Keefe unable to capitalise on the follow up. A sixth Salisbury goal arrived after 82 minutes when Chris Shephard, on for the impressive Green, played the ball through to Herbert who was blocked wide but still managed to cross for O’Keefe to get his second with a fine header into the bottom corner.

The last kick of the game saw O’Keefe have a chance for his hat-trick but his effort was straight at goalkeeper Rivers.

The crowd of 567 went home fully entertained following an excellent game in which the away side had no answer to Salisbury’s attacking prowess.

Next up for the Whites are away games at Didcot Town on Tuesday and Swindon Supermarine this weekend, before they return to the Ray Mac on Saturday February 17 when Slimbridge are the visitors.