Salisbury FC fall to 1-0 defeat on the road to Farnborough

The Whites began on the front foot and held the majority of possession in the opening quarter of an hour.

Attempts on goal in this period proved difficult to come by, however, with the most notable chances in the first half coming from a Coppin shot that hit the side-netting, and a shot from the top of the box from Briggs, which took a deflection, which just evaded the back of the Farnborough net.

Despite the positive start, it was the hosts who were able to take the lead at the Saunders Community Stadium, as an inch-perfect reverse pass was played through the Salisbury backline to Bingham, who was able to slide a shot under the keeper.

Buse was kept on his toes before the break after a dangerous cut-back found the feet of a Farnborough attacker who looked to double their lead, eventually being kept out on the line after an excellent save from our number one.

The second half showed the pendulum beginning to swing in the hosts’ favour as they looked the sharper side overall, as they were able to keep Salisbury’s chances to a minimum.

But with 20-or-so minutes left, the Whites looked like a genuine threat to score an equaliser before the final whistle.

Farnborough keeper Turner was caught in no man’s land in his own area and had to be saved on the line from his centre-half through a sensational diving header after Willard almost managed to chip the ball home.

Coppin also came close to an equaliser with an attempt from a cut-back which arose through some fantastic interplay on the right-hand side from Morgan and Ogunleye, making its way to the left for the cross and shot, but was smothered by the keeper.

There was late drama in additional time as the Whites were unable to find the back of the Farnborough net after the ball ping-ponged around the box that begged for a finishing touch – but to no avail.

Salisbury will now have to wait until Saturday to try and make amends against Bath City.