Salisbury winless run continues after defeat away at Worthing

Salisbury's start to the new season hasn't gone to plan so far, as they remain winless in the first seven games of the new campaign.

Brian Dutton's side travelled to Worthing last night, looking for their first win of the season, following a run of four draws and two losses in their first six games. 

Worthing won the game with two quick-fire goals just before half-time as Joe Cook and Joel Colbran scored in quick succession to put the game beyond Salisbury's reach. 

The game got off to a fast start, with both sides pressing the other high up the pitch and both sides creating half-chances early on. 

The first real cause for a goalkeeper to get their gloves dirty came in the 14th minute, when a low Tommy-Lee Higgs cross looked destined to be tapped in by Noah Coppin, but Seb Stacey in the Worthing nets did well to dive out to intercept the cross from meeting its intended target. 

Tom Davies was on hand to avert the danger as Worthing hit back a couple of minutes later, his last-ditch block preventing Worthing from getting a shot in on goal. 

Just a couple of minutes later, Higgs had Stacey at full stretch to palm away an effort that looked to be heading for the top corner as the Salisbury striker struck from the edge of the box. 

Salisbury were working hard to create the opening that would give them the lead - again it was Stacey with his fingertips, this time turning a Josh Keeya effort over the bar in the 19th minute. 

A header for each team presented the best chances to break the deadlock. First, Joe Cook couldn't direct his diving header on target in the 23rd minute. Then, Salisbury had their best chance of the half when Keeya rose unchallenged at the back post, but couldn't keep his header on target with 37 minutes on the clock. 

Worthing were forced into a change just a minute later, and that seemed to increase the home side's intensity as Odei Sorondo came on to replace Jack Spong.

Just minutes later, the homeside were in front. Sam Packham whipped in a dangerous corner, which found centre back Joe Cook, who rose highest, heading home from close range. 

The home side doubled their lead in the third minute of added time at the end of the first half when both Worthing full-backs combined to devastating effect. Sam Beard worked some space well down the left-hand side and whipped in a cross that Joel Colbran met to touch in ahead of Will Buse, and the home side led two-nil at the break.

Much of the second half was again played at a high intensity, with the homeside seeing more of the ball and Salisbury looking to break. However, neither keeper was truly tested as both defences were coming out on top. 

Second half substitute Temi Balalola caused problems when he came on, providing a physical threat and pace in behind, but a combination of Davies and the keeping of Will Buse kept the front man from adding to Worthing's tally. 

Salisbury's best chance of the second half all came through Ollie Bray, on as a second-half sub. First, he looked to find Noah Coppin after a burst of pace bought him space down the right in the 68th minute. 

Then, in the last few moments of the 90 minutes, Bray broke the offside trap and showed his electric pace, racing through on goal. However, Stacey continued his evening of fine work, got his angles right and closed down Bray well to gather as the Salisbury striker raced through on goal. 

The game ended with Salisbury still looking for the elusive first win of the season and the Whites still fourth bottom of the table. 

This Saturday, they face fellow early strugglers, Tonbridge Angels, at the Ray Mac. Kick off is at 3 pm with tickets available via the club's website - https://salisburyfc.ticketco.events/uk/en