Salisbury City progressed to the Second Round Proper of the FA Trophy this afternoon after a disciplined 2-0 victory against Basingstoke Town.

Jamie Turley was welcomed back from suspension, with loan signing Kyle Haynes moving to the bench in the only change to the White’s line up.

Salisbury came out with attacking intentions and asked all the early questions in the opening stages. Striker Jake Reid had a great opportunity to take the lead, getting on the end of a Darrell Clarke free kick to head narrowly wide. Charlie Knight went close minutes later, the winger pouncing on a loose ball inside the area to strike with the outside of his boot and force a good save from the keeper.

The home side gradually announced themselves on the game but failed to carve out any significant chances. Striker Jahson Downes showed good feet and was a lively presence but rarely caused any direct threat. The ever-present Skipper Chris Giles, though suffering a head injury mid-way through the half, marshalled the back line to good effect, while Josh Casey in particular gave little away at left back.

Adam Kelly tested the keeper on the half hour mark but chances were few and far between. Jake Reid put in plenty of running and his physical presence was causing severe problems to the Basingstoke back line. Kayne Mclaggon improvised well after Giles headed down inside the box  - the young striker  adjusted himself well to perform a back kick just over the bar.

Just before the break Basingstoke fashioned their best effort when a good piece of skill from

Jahson Downes saw him round Tommy Smith to get in on goal, but two or three Whites defenders were alert to the danger.

After a quiet start to the second half, Salisbury took the lead through a superb goal from player/manager Clarke. Following a freekick into the box, Brian Dutton’s challenge on the goalkeeper forced the man in gloves to punch out and the ball dropped nicely for the on-running Gaffer to volley low to the keeper’s left from just inside the penalty area. 1-0 Salisbury.

The game remained competitive as Basingstoke created their own spells of possession, but it was all in all a very quiet day for Tommy Smith. Reid continued his high work rate to and was always on hand to chase the ball in

the opposition half. Kayne McLaggon found himself through on goal after a long ball from Dutton but his header on was just too heavy. Reid himself went close, breaking through to get on the end of Smith’s dropkick and lobbing the keeper only to see his effort sail narrowly over.

The Whites did double their lead with ten minutes to go. Following a Basingstoke attack, a long ball found Clarke wide on the left and he found Adam Kelly with a great lofted ball just inside the box. Kelly’s low shot was well saved by the Basingstoke keeper but the rebound fell to an alert McLaggon, who’s controlled side-foot finish found the net. 2-0 Salisbury.

Freshening the line-up with the introduction of Dan Fitchett and Kyle Haynes, Salisbury saw out the remaining minutes quite comfortably to secure their place in the second round at the cost of higher league opposition.

Assistant Manager Mikey Harris commented on an accomplished performance. “I thought we played very well today. It was a solid and disciplined showing. We’re pleased with the amount of chances we’ve restricted them to and fully deserved the clean sheet. It’s great to test ourselves against higher-league opposition and we’ve done well. I think that’s the third conference south team we’ve beaten this season so it’s a great scalp.”

The Whites resume league duty this Tuesday at the Ray Mac against Halesowen Town. Clarke’s men will have been further boosted by results in the Zamaretto this afternoon, with both Truro and Cambridge being held to draws.