Cross-City Derby for Cup Semi-Final this evening at the Ray Mac

Tuesday, 4 February 2025 05:55

Salisbury FC return to cup action this evening (4th February) as they welcome city rivals Bemerton Heath Harlequins to the Ray Mac.

The clubs meet in the Wiltshire FA Premier Shield semi-final, with a place in the final - to be played at the Ray Mac, which is up for grabs.

The clubs met during Salisbury FC's inaugural season. Most recently they met at Moon Park in the Wessex Premier League, with Salisbury winning 3-1 on March 28th 2016, in front of 620 spectators. Kane O'Keefe, Ashely Jarvis and Stephen Walker with the goals for Salisbury.

They had also played earlier in the season, with 1485, at the Ray Mac on Monday, 28th December 2015. Again, Salisbury ran out 3-1 winners, Callum Brockway and Sam Wilson (2) getting the goals that day.

Three players from that time remain playing for one of the two sides. They are all former Salisbury players, now playing for Harlequins in the form of Danny Young, Eddie Perrett and Brandon Mundy.

Since then, they have met in junior cup competitions, with Salisbury winning in both the Wiltshire Senior Cup and Hospital Cup competitions in the 2016/17 seasons.

Fast forward to today, and both sides are playing in higher leagues, with Salisbury having achieved three promotions, and Harlequins are also in the Southern League South Division One.

In the league, Harlequins sit just outside of the play-off places in seventh place, two points behind fifth-placed Bishops Cleve, whilst Salisbury keeping the relegation places at arm's length in the Vanarama National League South.

Both sides drew their league fixtures at the weekend, Salisbury 1-1 away at Hornchurch and Harlequins 1-1 at home to Mousehole at Moon Park.

To reach the semi-final, Salisbury beat Melksham with a 5-3 win away from home in the quarter-finals back in January. Harlequins first overcame Malmesbury Victoria in the first round with a 6-2 away win before trashing Swindon Town 9-2 at home in their quarter-final back in November.

Brian Dutton said ahead of the game, "It's a game we want to win, and we will put a strong team out. I think it's a fantastic fixture for the county but, more importantly, for the people of Salisbury. Hopefully, all the fans will make it a great occasion. We will be fielding a strong side; I am sure Bemerton will be as well."

Tickets for the game are available here - https://www.salisburyfc.co.uk/tickets/ - and will also be available on the turnstile.

If the game is level at the end of 90 minutes, the tie will go to penalties - with the winners facing Swindon Supermarine in the final.

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