Salisbury FC bounced back from their heavy cup defeat away at Plymouth Parkway by putting Merthyr Town to the sword with a comfortable 2-0 win.
Goals from Jack Ball and Harry Baker gave the home side a comfortable win against the side from South Wales.
Salisbury were on top for the first half in terms of both possession and chances. The home side were fast out of the blocks creating their first chance inside the first couple of minutes. Harry Baker broke down the right-hand side and his cross found it’s way to Marvin Brooks in the box, but his shot was well blocked by Merthyr centre back Ismail Yakubu.
The Whites took the lead in the 19th minute when Jack Ball got on the end of a corner from the right and managed to smuggle the ball through a crowded box and past Jaimie Cogman in the Welsh sides goal.
The game drifted slightly after the goal and became a little bitty, Jack Ball was doing all the right things defensively when he prevented Dylan Jones a chance on goal with an excellent last ditch sliding tackle.
The sides went in at half time with only a goal separating them despite Salisbury thinking they had doubled their lead. A well weighted Antonio Diaz was met by a powerful Marvin Brooks header, but the assistant referee’s raised flag cut short celebrations.
Salisbury began the second half on the attack, just as they had they first. Harry Baker was the first to force a save from Cogman in the Merthyr goal, the keeper pushing his shot wide.
Steve Claridge’s side then doubled their lead after 53 minutes, again from a corner. The ball came in from the right and dropped 12 yards out where it was met by a sweet volley by Harry Baker which flew into the back of the net.
Merthyr believed they had got themselves back into the game, but the assistant referee ruled out Daniel Barnards ricocheted header after 78 minutes.
Salisbury dealt with everything that Merthyr had as an attacking threat, with Marcus Beauchamp rarely called into action and ran out 2-0 winners.
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