Hanwell Town Vs Salisbury Town FC - Match Preview

Friday, 17 February 2023 00:00

After the love was shared in a 0-0 draw with Harrow Borough this Valentine’s Day, Salisbury travel to Hanwell Town (for the first time in their history) on Saturday as they still search for their first league win in 2023.

In a closely contested match on Tuesday night, the whites managed to earn their first point in the Southern Premiership since boxing day when they beat Winchester City.

Their first clean sheet, as well as their first point of the new year, has given a glimpse of hope to Salisbury fans as their club has been struggling to find form in recent months.

However, although both sides currently sit in the bottom half of the table with only three points separating the two after each playing 29 games, Hanwell may provide a tougher encounter than anticipated.

A narrow 1-0 defeat against top of the league Truro on Wednesday shows just how threatening and tough this opposition can be.

There will be at least one man who will be willing to combat this and make an immediate impression, however, and that is former Colchester United winger Michael Fernandes.

Fernandes, who is dual-signed with Farnborough, will be looking to make his debut in front of the traveling fans after he signed for the whites earlier this week.

The fans who make the trip will be hoping to see some of the 23-year-olds attacking flair and prowess he possesses, something that Brian Dutton's squad has been starved of since his appointment.

Just 20 goals in 19 games is a cause for concern amongst the Salisbury camp and was highlighted by the boss in his most recent interview with the club.

“We need a goalscorer. We’ve got goalscorers, but we need someone to come in and reinvigorate that position.”

“If you can find me a manager that’s willing to let a proven goalscorer, scoring 20-30 goals in a season go mid-season… I’ll snap your hand off.”

Although Fernandes may not be an out-and-out striker, hopefully adding a bit more spice to the front line will heat up Salisbury's attack.

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