Grantham Town preview (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Grantham Town preview

SALISBURY City finally return to league action on Saturday when they make the trip to Grantham Town.

Due to cup commitments and postponements, the Whites have not played a Southern League Premier Division fixture since the 0-1 defeat at Yate Town on November 5.

Since then, City have progressed to the first round proper of the FA Trophy with victories over Clevedon Town and Newport County, and to the fourth round of the Errea Cup following Tuesday night's 3-0 defeat of Aylesbury United.

Promotion hopefuls Whites, who had been top of the table since the end of August, were ousted from pole position on Saturday when rivals Mangotsfield United picked up a point.

However, City have three games in hand on the new leaders and will be determined to reclaim top spot as soon as possible.

Looking ahead to Saturday's match, Salisbury boss Nick Holmes said: "Grantham is a big game.

"The league is always our priority and cup matches are a lovely rest from it, but if you look at our league record in November it reads one defeat.

"We didn't pick up any points during the month.

"We're no longer top of the league and that hurts. So Grantham away is now a massive game for us."

Thanks to their strength in depth, City were able to rest ten players in midweek for the Errea Cup tie from the team that had defeated Newport County so comprehensively.

Only goalkeeper Kevin Sawyer started both games - although new signing Jon Beswetherick, along with Ian Richardson and Robbie Matthews, came off the bench for the Trophy match and starred in Tuesday's victory.

City are therefore expected to be at full strength against the Gingerbreads, although there is a question mark against Tim Bond (groin) who was replaced by Richardson on Saturday.

Whites beat Grantham 3-0 when they met on October 1 at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium, thanks to goals by Paul Sales (2) and Matt Tubbs.

Grantham are currently sitting pretty in the middle of the table - six points away from the play-off places, but also only six points away from the drop zone.

Of their eight home games in the league this season, Town have won two, drawn two and lost four.

Grantham Town current form - last ten games

November

Tues 29 Bedford (a) lost 0-1 (Errea Cup 3R)

Sat 26 Droylsdon (a) lost 0-4 (FAT3Q)

Sat 19 Tiverton Town (a) lost 1-3 (league)

Sat 12 Lincoln United (h) won 2-1 (FAT2Q) Att:308

Sat 5 Mangotsfield United (h) lost 1-2 (league) Att: 319

October

Sat 29 Merthyr Tydfil (a) lost 1-2 (league)

Tues 25 Halesowen Town (a) won 2-0 (league)

Sat 22 Cheshunt (h) lost 0-1 (league) Att:272

Tues 18 Bamber Bridge (h) won 3-0 (FAT1Q replay) Att: 230

Sat 15 Bamber Bridge (a) drew 2-2 (FAT1Q)