Salisbury score three to secure three points at home against Chelmsford City

Salisbury collected three points on a wet, cold and grey afternoon at the Ray Mac against Chelmsford City.

As the rain fell, goals from Noah Coppin, Josh Keeya and Josh Hedges secured a win in front of 848 supporters.

Josh Hedges forced the first save from Chris Haigh, his drive from 25 yards, forcing the Chelmsford keeper into action with 10 minutes on the clock. 

Chelmsford's Jason Adigun found his way into the Salisbury box just a few minutes later, flashing a shot across the face of Will Buse's goal.

Salisbury took the lead in the 17th minute, when Matt Briggs fed Noah Coppin, who broke the offside trap and finished well on the angle to give the home side the lead and score his eighth goal of the season. 

Chelmsford came close to levelling in the 29th minute, when Uchegbulam hit the outside of the post after twisting and turning his way past Morgan. 

After defending the corner, incorrectly given by the referee, Salisbury broke down the other end. A quick free kick set Noah Coppin towards the box, Haigh well saved his shot from the edge, gathering at the second attempt at the feet of Josh Hedges. 

Just a minute later, Matt Briggs broke into the box, and Paul Appiah appeared to push him in the back, forcing Briggs to go down. The referee, Luis Griffiths, and his assistant referee waved away the appeals, much to the frustration of the home supporters. 

There was more controversy in the 39th minute. Josh Hedges shot looped up off Matty Taylor, who then went to try and win the header. It appeared that Haigh pushed Taylor in the back whilst trying to claim the ball. Again, the officials weren't interested.

Taylor had a half-chance for the visitors as the clock ticked towards half-time. He flicked it goalwards from a cross from the left, but Buse was able to gather comfortably at his near post. 

Chelmsford then had another chance in injury time. The Lyle Taylor flicking wide from 10 yards out, and the half ended with the home side leading by a goal to nil.

Salisbury looked to extend their advantage at the start of the second half. Noah Coppin stole in on the left of the box; his cross was well cleared away from the toes of Josh Hedges. 

Just a minute later, the ball went back into the Chelmsford box to the feet of Coppin. The Salisbury forward worked hard to find space to squeeze a shot away, but it was comfortable for Haigh.

Chelmsford set Salisbury hearts racing as they broke the offside trap and managed to tee up Jes Uchegbulam on the edge of the box. His shot went whistling just past Will Buse's upright in the 61st minute. 

Salisbury, though, doubled their lead through Josh Keeya in the 65th minute. First, Matty Taylor's shot from the edge was blocked, the rebound fell to Keeya 25 yards out, and his powerful first touch strike was too much for Haigh as it flew into the roof of the net. 

The Salisbury front line was looking to break as Chelmsford were seeing more of the ball. Noah Coppin was set free in the 69th minute, but Haigh saved it comfortably. 

Chelmsford were pushing to get back into the game. Will Buse was forced into a save in the 71st minute, then a succession of efforts came in on his goal, which were either blocked, with the final one from Kian Ronon flying wide. 

Salisbury extended their advantage in the 79th minute. Josh Hedges danced his way into the box on the left-hand side, made room for the strike and fired it low past Haigh. 

The Whites almost made it four when Ollie Bray turned on the afterburners down the right-hand side. His cross found Matty Taylor at the back post, but the Salisbury forward couldn't find the target. 

Chelmsford didn't let up and kept pushing forward, hitting the side netting and forcing a save from Will Buse in added time. However, they were unable to break down Salisbury's resolute defence. 

Up next for Salisbury is another home game. Maidenhead United are the visitors on Tuesday evening (25th November) for a 7:45pm kick off.