BOSS Steve Claridge has bolstered his Salisbury FC squad with the capture of two midfielders just days before their crunch second round FA Vase clash with AFC St Austell on Saturday (3pm).

Midfielders Taurean Roberts and Harry Wedlake have signed the necessary paperwork ahead of when Whites rub shoulders with their Cornish visitors.

Londoner Roberts, 24, who went through the Crystal Palace academy before being released five years ago and joining Tooting and Mitcham in the Ryman League, impressed Claridge with his goal in the Chichester City friendly win.

Although Wedlake was absent for that game due to injury, he shown enough calibre in training to join the Sydenhams Wessex Premier leaders.

The 19-year-old was with Portsmouth as a scholar before joining Vanarama National League South side Havant and Waterlooville, who released him.

"Taurean has the ability to go past players and excite crowds," said Claridge, "but what I also like about him is his that little bit of nous he has having learned the game properly at a pro club.

"His starting positions are good and he gets himself into the right areas when we don't have the ball, so he is also able to do a job and defend as well."

"Harry is very strong and mobile." "He will give us a lot of good competition in midfield.

"In fact, these are two good players and they join us just at the right time with so many games, and big games, coming up in the coming months, including a busy pre-Christmas programme."

Claridge is challenging his players to replicate their "brilliant" showing at Team Solent.

He had set off with director of football Micky Jenkins to watch St Austell in their South West Peninsula League game at Exeter University on Saturday only to turn back when news of the postponement filtered through.

He's wary of how tough it will be and what St Austell, league champions and last season's FA Vase semi-finalists, offer.

"Our attitude needs to be right from the start, and we need to carry it on for the whole 90 minutes like we did at Solent," added Claridge. "If we don't, we will get punished.

"But I have faith and confidence in this group. I am excited about what they can do."

The winner of the clash, which is one of 64, will appear in Monday's third round draw and collect £1,000 in prize money.

 

Odds on BetVictor:

Salisbury: 1/3

Draw: 4/1

AFC St Austell: 5/1