SHEPHARD STEERS HIS FLOCK TO SOLID WIN
A slow start is solved
AN IMMACULATELY OBSERVED minute’s silence recognising the Leicester City tragedy was followed by a superb match between two very good sides, with most of the crowd going home happy after seeing their side deservedly triumph.
Salisbury fell behind to an early goal when Connor Calcutt prodded home at the near post on six minutes from Lee Chappell’s corner.
Salisbury man of the match, Chris Shephard, then started pulling the strings but sent an effort over.
Hendon had a good penalty appeal turned down on 16 minutes when Shaquile Hippolyte-Patrick went over in a one-on-one with home keeper Jake Hallett but the Whites then clicked into gear with Jake Wannell’s header from a Lewis Benson corner drifting wide.
And then Benson was himself unlucky on 27 minutes when his 25-yard free-kick clattered the post.
However, on 39 minutes Benson fed Shephard, who slipped the ball to Tom Whelan, whose left-foot finish left Hendon keeper Danny Boness helpless.
Seconds later Hendon had another escape when Shephard saw his finish deflected wide but that was quickly forgotten as Salisbury extended the lead three minutes later when Benson cut inside and left Boness floundering with a superb strike into the far corner.
Salisbury keeper Hallett excelled on 51 minutes, blocking Cole Brown’s crossshot but then the Whites took full control.
Wannell, Aaron Dawson
SALISBURY 3 HENDON Whelan 39, Benson 42, Kotwica 79 1 Calcutt 6
and Shephard went close but they got a third 11 minutes from time.
Whelan was the architect – driving forward, passing wide to Bay Downing, whose pinpoint cross allowed Zack Kotwica an easy tap-in.
After the game, Hendon assistant manager Mark Boyce said: “We started very well with an early goal and were top for a period with everything going to plan, but the game ran away from us ten minutes before half-time.
“The crowd got behind Salisbury and we made some shaky errors. When they got in front we had to chase the game.”
Meanwhile, delighted Salisbury boss Steve Claridge added: “Things get better, but although Hendon had their moments, and they are a good side, we dominated the majority of the game after going a goal behind.
“We could feel the tempo change and the belief was coming back when we started getting at them.” STAR MAN: Chris Shephard (Salisbury) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★