Whatever the merits of those, we have to acknowledge the part Salisbury City played in a superb game of football, and for much of the game they looked the better side.

 

Certainly they were quick out of the blocks with a goal inside 39 seconds when Matt Tubbs drifted out to the left and laid the ball back to Luke Prince.  The County defence was dragged across and towering striker Robbie Matthews climbed above Damon Searle to head goalwards.  Jacob Giles managed to turn his effort onto the upright but MATTHEWS followed up to net the rebound.

 

Charlie Griffin headed over when he had a great chance to equalise on four minutes and TUBBS put Salisbury well in control on the sixth minute after turning and firing home from a sharp angle after the ball had glanced off Searle’s head into his path.

 

The visitors kept County pegged back and Nathan Davies was first to incur the wrath of referee Michael Rowley who showed the midfield player a yellow card for a late challenge on the impressive Danny Clay in the 13th minute.  Salisbury however, seemed to offer the speedy County forwards a chance by pushing up for offside and on 20 minutes, Sam O’Sullivan timed his run perfectly to find space and square for CRAIG HUGHES to net his 23rd goal of the season.  City boss Nick Holmes, from his vantage point on the halfway line later claimed three County players were offside, but the assistant referee did not agree.

 

Salisbury continued to threaten with County finding Matthews difficult to handle and his tendency to lead with his elbow angered the home fans who felt that his 38th minute caution was overdue.  Former County midfield player Mike Fowler, who looked lost on the right wing, appeared certain to see red when Mr Rowley called him over after he had elbowed Searle in the face on the touchline, but he escaped with a caution and though County improved as the half progressed, the visitors were well worth their interval lead.

 

It appeared essential that County did not concede early in the second half but TUBBS netted his second, an excellent strike, to restore City’s two goal advantage in the 47th minute and there seemed no way back.  What followed however, had the crowd in raptures as under a storm of Newport pressure, the visitors cracked.

 

An Ian Hillier throw-in was volleyed in by CHARLIE GRIFFIN in the 57th minute and, after Jason Bowen and Salisbury’s Matt Robinson both found there way into Mr Rowley’s notebook, County equalised in the 67th minute.  A Bowen corner was flicked on by John Brough for GRIFFIN to volley home at the far post and spark wild celebrations from the home support.

 

The irrepressible Tubbs missed a great chance to restore the Whites’ advantage before a reckless piece of goalkeeping by City’s Matt Bulman provided County with a penalty.  The keeper facing a one-on-one situation with the onrushing Griffin, launched himself with his feet towards the County forward who had lost control of the ball, and though he did not appear to make contact, his actions persuaded Mr Rowley to award a penalty.

 

This was too much for Salisbury coach Tommy Widdrington who ran on to the pitch to remonstrate with the official who neither reversed his decision, nor allowed the keeper to remain on the pitch.  Bulman owed his place in the side to regular keeper Ryan Clarke’s suspension for a red card offence, and he lashed out at his team mate Luke Prince as the Salisbury winger tried to calm the situation.  When the keeper eventually departed, Fowler took the keeper’s jersey but was given no chance by a trademark BOWEN penalty.

 

County continued to delight a very noisy crowd, but Fowler looked relatively assured between the sticks and there was no further scoring.  The victory made it seven games unbeaten for County, and Salisbury were sent home with no reward.  They will surely play much worse and win.

 

Line-ups

 

County:  Giles, Jenkins, Searle, Davies, Brough, Hillier, Bowen, Simpson (Leek 86), Griffin (Alsop 84), Hughes, O’Sullivan.  Subs not used: Holdsworth, Bassett, Ovendale.

 

Salisbury: Bulman, Bass, Robinson, Cook, Bartlett (Brown 86), Clay, Fowler, Holmes (Knowles 58), Matthews, Tubbs, Prince (Watt 86).  Subs not used: Beswetherick, Haddow.

 

Scorers: County: Hughes (20), Griffin 2 (57, 67), Bowen (74 pen).

                 Salisbury:  Matthews (1), Tubbs 2 (6, 47)

 

Cautions: County: Davies (13), Bowen (62)

                   Salisbury: Matthews (38), Fowler (45), Robinson (62).  Bulman sent off (71)

 

Referee: Michael Rowley (Reading)

Assistants: Paul Sparrow, Paul Tyler.

 

Man of the Match: County: Charlie Griffin     

                                  Salisbury:  Matt Tubbs

Attendance:    1,014.

 

Match rating:    5/5