Whites and Martyrs battle in stalemate

Monday, 18 March 2024 00:00

Salisbury FC and Merthyr Town played out a goalless draw on Saturday as both push for a spot in the playoffs.

Merthyr came into the game having got back to winning ways on Thursday evening when they won 3-1 away at Plymouth Parkway, the game being played at Yate Town.

In a game that often saw the sides cancel each other out, Merthyr nearly took the lead when they struck the bar in the sixth minute.

Tom Handley turned well on the edge of the box, but his strike came back off the bar.

911 watched on as the teams battled at the Ray Mac (Image: Michael Berkeley)

The game went on with nethier side able to break down very well organised defences and the game reached half time without many incidents to note.

In the second half, Salisbury created the early chance. Will Fuller denied Noah Coppin in the 54th minute in the Merthyr goal.

Merthyr's job was made harder when Aneurin Livermore was sent off after 66 minutes when he was shown his second yellow card of the afternoon.

The referee shows Livermore the red card after his second yellow of the afternoon (Image: Michael Berkeley)

Salisbury were then denied again by Fuller in the 73rd minute. The Whites battled hard but could not grab a winner.

It was the first time the side from the Welsh valleys had failed to score since the end of November when they lost at home to Poole Town.

Salisbury still sit second on the lead, with Gosport breathing down their necks just two points behind, while Chesham extended their lead with a 2-0 win against AFC Totton.

Up next for Brian Dutton's side is an away trip to Dorchester Town on Saturday (23rd March) as they look to cement their second place position with eight games left of the season.

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