SALISBURY manager Steve Claridge is looking for his side to start picking up the points they deserve and move up into the mix in the Southern League Premier Division.

The Whites are currently 11th in the table and start a run of four games in 10 days which starts with a trip to Chesham United on Saturday. This is followed by a home game at the Ray Mac on Tuesday night against high flying Merthyr Town.

A week on Saturday, Salisbury travel to Farnborough and then on October 23, Tiverton are in town.

Salisbury will be hoping to build on their last league outing, which was an excellent 4-1 win away at Gosport Borough.

Luke Hopper was the Whites’ hat-trick hero on that day and Tom Whelan was also on target.

Claridge said: “I feel we have been playing well and should have got at least another five points to our name. I want to stop the hard luck stories and for us to start picking up points. I want us to move up the table and getting into the mix.”

First up is a trip to bottom side Chesham United, who enjoyed their first league win of the campaign last weekend at Farnborough.

Claridge was in the crowd and said: “They did not look like a bottom of the league side and they were at it from the off. We never take any side at this level for granted and it is going to be a tough game on Saturday.”

The Salisbury boss also knows that Tuesday’s night’s game against Merthyr Town will not be a walk in the park and added: “Merthyr have started very well so we not have it all our own way when they visit.”

Last Wednesday, Salisbury booked their place in the second round of the Southern League Cup after they won a dramatic penalty shoot-out last Wednesday at Highworth Town.

This was after the game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, the tie was decided on penalties with the visitors opening proceedings and scored with their first three as did the home side thanks to Zach Kotwica, Lewis Benson and Dan Fitchett.

Highworth’s Toumani Sidibi then saw his spot kick saved by Jake Hallett, as the Salisbury goalkeeper dived to his right.

George Colson then slotted home to give the Whites the lead 4-3 and Aaron Dawson then completed a full house for the visitors with the winner.