Whites 2-1 AFC Hornchurch: Match report
SALISBURY CITY staged an impressive comeback to get their league campaign off and running on a winning note, writes Joel Holt.
Newly-promoted AFC Hornchurch took a surprising lead through Martin Tuohy’s well-taken effort and Jamie White responded after bundling the ball over the line in the 69th minute.
And in a gripping finale, a ferocious low-range drive from super substitute Ryan Brett, with eight minutes remaining, ended up in the bottom corner to seal the victory on a glorious summer’s day.
In a cagey opening exchanges, neither side created much in the final third, until the 16th minute, when Dan Fitchett let loose a rifle which toppled over the bar and Leon McKenzie drilled an ambitious effort wide for the visitors.
White posed a threat for the Whites and speared a low-range shot and a close header over, before Chris McPhee’s deflected effort fizzled into the palms of Joe Woolley.
But just one minute before the interval, it was the visitors who broke the deadlock after Frank Curley threaded through Tuohy – who played a pivotal role in his side’s promotion, registering over 30 goals last season – sweetly tucked away a crisp effort into the bottom corner.
Half time: Whites 0-1 AFC Hornchurch
The Whites lifted the mood inside the Ray Mac as the hosts re-emerged in the second-period and McPhee’s soaring shot boosted team morale.
But they were nearly silenced when Tuohy’s and Simon Glover’s well-struck volleys flashed passed the upright.
However, on the 69th minute City grabbed an equaliser. Stuart Sinclair skipped his way into the area and his bobbling pass found its way through to Emmanuel Udoji who redelivered and White scrambled home.
During a nervy ending, both sides pushed forward in search of the decisive blow and Brett took Dan Fitchett’s lay off in his stride and sent a swerving winner into the bottom corner.
Whites: Puddy, Udoji, Matthews, J Clarke, Hart, Fitchett, Sinclair, Dutton (c), Lewis (Brett 56), White (Clark 79), McPhee
Subs not used: Scott, Baggridge, D Clarke
AFC Hornchurch: Woolley, Bentley, Goodacre, Noel, Anderson (Love 75), McKenzie (Spencer 79), Curley (c), Glover, Cutler, Tuohy, Smith
Subs not used: Hunt, Tomlinson, Eyong,
Scorers: Tuohy (44), White (69), Brett (82)
Att: 663
