10-Man Salisbury Come Back to Earn a Point in a Six-Goal Thriller at the Ray Mac

Tuesday, 26 August 2025 06:05

By Toby Pike

Salisbury and Hornchurch shared the spoils in a pulsating 3–3 draw at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium, with both sides trading blows in a match that epitomised the drama of the National League South.

The hosts got off to a flyer, Josh Keeya opened his and Salisbury’s account for the season with a neat finish past Arthur Nasta in the Hornchurch goal.

The Whites were inspired and continued to put the away side on the back foot throughout the opening exchanges.

In the 6th minute, against the run of play, the visitors got an equaliser. Harry Gibbs smashed home a goal of the season contender from forty yards which sailed past the outstretched Will Buse.

Immediately, the Whites looked to respond, Matty Taylor forcing Nasta to palm away his strike from a close-range freekick

Hornchurch thought they had taken the lead in the 16th minute when Josh Hares’ half volley bounced over Buse into the far corner, however, the assistant’s flag was raised to rule out the goal.

Four minutes later, the visitors did take the lead. Josh Rees found half a yard in the box and managed to get a strike away. The strike crept past Buse at the near post.

Rees doubled his tally in the 30th minute, the wide-man cut inside Tom Davies and finished calmly past Buse to give the Urchins a two-goal advantage.

Hornchurch finished the half playing with their tails up and full of confidence as opposed to the downbeat looking Whites.

After the interval, Salisbury came out of the traps fast. Davies halved the deficit with a powerful header into the far side netting from a corner.

The Whites then took control, dominating the ball and giving the Essex sides’ backline no time to rest.

In the 72nd minute, Taylor Foran was sent his marching orders after earning a second yellow for pulling Sam Kuffour down. Gaining any points from this stage looked like a tall order now for the South Wiltshire side.

Super sub, Tommy Lee-Higgs, fired home into the roof of the net a crucial equaliser ten minutes after entering the field of play. The goal sent the sea of White behind the goal into pure elation (81st)

It was then time for another substitute to make an equally significant impact. Hayden Muller cleared Charlie Ruff’s effort off the line to keep the score level.

In the 91st minute, Muller once again came to the rescue, getting a vital touch to deny Charlie Pegrum a tap-in for Hornchurch.

After the seven additional minutes of added time were up, referee Said Ouchene sounded the final whistle.