On Saturday we make our first trip to Salisbury’s Raymond McEnhill Stadium, affectionately known as the Ray Mac, for 12 years, when a 2-0 defeat was suffered in a season that saw Salisbury City (as they were then named) promoted to the Conference Premier following a play-off win against Dover Athletic.

Salisbury City’s stay in the Premier division had no happy ending when, after a very satisfactory finish in 12th place, they were demoted to Conference South following a failure to pay outstanding debts and supplying the necessary financial bond. The club was liquidated and reformed as Salisbury Football Club for the 2015/16 season in the Wessex League from which they were promoted at the first attempt. After promotion from the Southern League West in 2017/18, last season they were promoted to National League South from the Southern League Premier.

From a position of relative safety at the turn of the year, a run of just one win in their last 10 games has seen Salisbury slip to a precarious position, just four points above the relegation zone.

The reverse fixture back in late August saw the Angels win with a single goal from Sean Shields in the 12th minute which took their unbeaten run from the beginning of the season to six games that eventually stretched to 11 including a couple of FA Cup wins.

The Salisbury manager is Yorkshire-born Brian Dutton who was appointed in 2022. A big favourite at the previous Salisbury club, he had previously managed Walsall. Dutton played 140 games for Salisbury and was captain on the finest day in that Salisbury club's history when they won promotion to what is now the National League in 2013.

The man to watch in Salisbury's side is Josh Hedges who leads their goalscoring chart with nine and their assists contributions with eight. Their best known players otherwise are striker Craig Fasanmade, a summer arrival from Chippenham Town, who has played against the Angels for Hemel Hempstead and Hungerford Town and Sido Jombati, a 37-year-old Portuguese defender previously at Ebbsfleet United and Wycombe Wanderers.

Entrance to the Ray Mac is via turnstiles on the Main Stand side. Salisbury have operated segregation throughout the season and visiting supporters will be directed to the uncovered end of the stadium but covered seating is available in the away end and a section of the main stand where there is a transfer charge of £1.

The away section has its own bar and food outlet that serves a variety of the usual match day food, burgers, sausages, chips, hot and cold drinks. The FA Cup tie between Fulham and Crystal Palace will be shown from 12.15pm, whilst the gates to the ground open at 1pm.

The Ray Mac is located three miles outside of the city centre and can be accessed via the Salisbury Reds PR11 bus route that takes you right to the ground or the X4, X5 or Activ8 route to the Beehive Roundabout which leaves a 15 minute walk.

There is parking at the ground which carries a £2 charge and the hosts ask that cars are not parked on Partridge Way or the housing estate.

Online admission prices to the game are: Adults £15; Concessions £11; Under-18 £5. Away Disability Ticket requiring a wheelchair space or seat £11 and can be purchased HERE  Cash or card at the turnstiles on the day when prices rise by £1.

Enjoy the game!