A NEW-LOOK Salisbury Hockey Men's firsts restarted their hunt for promotion with a 5-3 victory over Yateley, who were demoted from Hants/Surrey Division 2 last season.

The visitors started the game on the front foot against a drilled Yateley side.

The first real chance of the match fell to Salisbury, with Jamie Gates diverting the ball into the net after a drilled ball across the D.

The goal seemed to reverse the flow of the match, with Yateley dominating the next phase of the game, helped by several green cards to Salisbury players.

And the hosts took advantage of their numerical advantage to level with a well-worked penalty corner.

With Salisbury under continued pressure, Martin Clarke scored on the counter to restore their lead.

Shortly afterwards, both Tom Brady and Jon Powell were given yellow cards, allowing Yateley to score a flick after captain Andy Renshaw illegally blocked on the line.

Salisbury saw out the half 2-2 with just eight players following another harsh yellow card for Rich Wadey.

The second half saw Salisbury repel the pressure from being three players down, until they were finally restored to 11 men.

With both sides enjoying chances, the Lower Bemerton outfit once again took the lead through Clarke, followed by a Dom Welman strike.

Then, Yateley scored from another penalty corner to close the gap.

But, with just minutes remaining, Salisbury sealed the win when Wadey's flick from deep in his own half allowed Welman to profit, and he beat the keeper for his team's fifth.

Captain Andy Renshaw said: "Brilliant way to start the season, we were on the wrong side of a lot of decisions that could have cost us.

"Although we weren't at our fluent best, the effort and determination from the lads got us the win."

Salisbury's next game is at home to Weymouth firsts on Saturday.