United 2
(Morgan 49′, Jay 81′)
Salisbury 1
(Coppin 89′)
United got back to winning ways on Tuesday evening, as Neil Warnock’s side secured three much-needed points against Salisbury.
Second half strikes from Dylan Morgan and Matt Jay were enough to confirm victory, with Noah Coppin’s late strike not enough to alter the result.
Interim boss Warnock made two changes to the side that lost to Ebbsfleet on Saturday, with Louis Dennis and Matt Worthington replaced by Sonny Fish and Morgan.
The first half may have been goalless but there was plenty of action, as both sides went in search of the opening goal.
Morgan was a constant threat to Salisbury down the left flank and went close on a number of occasions to forcing an opener, although the visitors were also causing problems for The Gulls’ backline, with Noah Coppin seeing his 35th minute effort cannon off the crossbar.
Only a last-gasp challenge prevented Jordan Young finishing off a swift counter moments later, but it was goalless at the break.
Only four minutes of the second period had elapsed before United took the lead.
A loose ball in midfield was all the invitation Morgan needed to race towards goal, and after cutting inside to improve his angle, the Torquay winger rifled a superb shot into the far corner from the edge of the box.
From then on, Warnock’s side were forced to soak up a number of Salisbury forays into the United penalty area, although debutant keeper Stacey remained relatively untroubled.
The Gulls remained a threat on the break, and with nine minutes left, they grabbed a crucial second goal.
An important challenge from Dan Hayfield created the opportunity, with the midfielder winning the ball on the halfway line before dashing downfield and squaring the ball to Jay, who duly fired home from the edge of the box to double the advantage.
A late reply from Salisbury – as Coppin touched home from close range – ended up counting for little, as the Yellows held on to put an end to their recent barren run.
Onto Chesham on Saturday.
UNITED: 15. Seb Stacey, 3. Jay Foulston, 6. Munashe Sundire (18. Matt Worthington, 6′), 8. Jordan Young, 11. Dylan Morgan, 16. Ed Palmer,17. Sonny Fish (23. Kieran Wilson, 77′), 20. Dan Hayfield, 24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 27. Matt Jay, 28. Will Tizzard.
SUBS NOT USED: 21. Adam Seedhouse-Evans (GK).
Yellow Card: Jay
SALISBURY: 1. Will Buse, 4. Camron Gbadebo, 10. Tommy Willard, 14. Josh Hedges, 18. Josh Keeya, 22. Noah Coppin, 24. Dominic Bevan, 25. Mo Dabre (11. Nathan Odokonyero, 76′), 27. Max Joliffe, 32. Richard McIntyre (3. Josh Sommerton, 76′), 33. Ollie Morgan.
SUBS NOT USED: 13. Lewis Gunstone-Gray, 19. Evander-Gray, 30. Harry Lee, 31. Balray Landa, 34. Peter Ojemen.
Yellow Card: Gbadebo
Attendance: 2,480 (71 away)
