A look-ahead to Saturday's trip to Wiltshire
WHO? Salisbury City, aka the Whites, the men from the Raymond McEnhill Stadium, that’s who. City have enjoyed a superb season in the Skrill Premier, defying the pre-season predictions of a season of struggle.
HOW COME? Young manager Mikey Harris steered the Whites to Conference South Play-Off glory last season and, after overcoming a slow start to the season, the form from the last campaign has continued. Salisbury have been in and around the Play-Off places for much of the campaign and very much find themselves in the mix to grab a place in the top five come the end of the season.
AWAY THE LADS. The match is all-ticket for Town supporters, 1,356 were sold in advance, a figure which dwarfs City’s average home attendance of 881 this season. The Whites have begun an “operation 2,000” campaign to entice more supporters to come and watch them. That could be achieved today.
HOW TO GET THERE. The ground is situated north of Salisbury, near to the A345. On entering Salisbury follow the ring around the city centre, until you reach the roundabout with the A345 (Castle Road). Head along the A345 towards Amesbury. You will pass the entrance to Old Sarum on your left and a Harvester on your right. At the next roundabout turn right along Portway and at the mini roundabout bear left. Take the next left into Partridge Way. The entrance to the ground is at the bottom of this road. There is a large car park at the ground, which costs £2 per vehicle.
FORTRESS RAY MAC. Salisbury’s success has been helped by a fantastic home record this season – one of the best in the Skrill Premier. Harris’ side have won 12 of their 17 matches at the Raymond McEnhill this season, beating the likes of Barnet, Hereford, Macclesfield and Grimsby.
WATCH OUT FOR…Dan Fitchett. Last season’s top goalscorer has continued from where he’s left off this season and so far has 13 goals to his name in the Skrill Premier, which included an 11-goal burst in 11 games between the end of September and early December. He was part of the England C squad that travelled to Jordan this week.
HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? Saturday’s encounter will be only the Town’s second visit to Salisbury. It was way back in September 2009 that the Hatters last travelled to the Ray Mac and came home with a point from a 1-1 draw. Kevin Gallen had the Town ahead but the prolific Matt Tubbs levelled matters. The Hatters team that day was: Tyler, Gnakpa (sub Hall), White (sub Blackett), Pilkington, Murray, Newton, Nicholls, Keane, Jarvis, Gallen, Craddock (sub Basham). Substitutes not used: Gore, Donnelly. The Town then beat Salisbury 4-0 later in the campaign at Kenilworth Road and then won 2-0 in the first meeting in three years later this season 2-0 thanks to goals from Luke Guttridge and Solomon Taiwo.
MILESTONE. If Andre Gray is selected for the match he make his 100th appearance for the Hatters.
LIVE & DIRECT. We’ll have all the news as it happens from Nuneaton. Pre-match build-up, team news, live text and audio commentary, a report, reaction, photographs and interviews. Remember to keep it lutontown.co.uk, Hatters Player and check out our ever-growing Facebook and Twitter feeds. And keep an eye on our Instagram, Vine and YouTube accounts too for good measure #COYH.