Match Preview: Salisbury (A) - 26th December 2025

By Josh Cole

It’s a Boxing Day trip to Salisbury for another Enterprise National league South fixture!

Last time out The Stags ended a five-game losing streak with a superb 1-0 win over Torquay! Click here to read the full match report!

You can also watch the interviews with Jimmy Ball and new centre-half Dan O’Connor after that win!

Important information: The match against Salisbury is FULLY SEGREGATED as all home games are at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium. You can purchase your away tickets by CLICKING HERE!

SALISBURY FC – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:

The Whites are sat in 19^th place in the league table, on 24 points from 23 games. If you want to see how the full league table looks, you can CLICK HERE.

Salisbury’s season didn’t start off too great in their second consecutive campaign in the ENLS, as they went their first eight games without a win, drawing four games out of those matches. Their first win of the season came in the FA Cup 2^nd qualifying round when they won 4-1 against Laverstock & Ford.

They remained without a win in the league, with a 0-0 draw against Eastbourne in their next game. After that they were back to FA Cup action, but lost to Dorking Wanderers via a replay. A loss against Torquay came next but then finally, two league wins came at once, just like London buses, and it was two home wins against Slough and Farnborough.

However, that good form didn’t last as they lost three games in a row, two in the league against Ebbsfleet and Dorking and a loss in the Wiltshire FA Shield in round one against Westbury United.

Form then picked up for four games in November, with Salisbury not losing a game, drawing two and winning three, but just like the story of their season, unfortunately they couldn’t sustain it, and lost 0-6 in their next game at home against Maidenhead United.

Entering this game, Salisbury have won just once in their last three, with their last result being a 2-0 loss away at Bath in the league.

LAST FIVE: SALISBURY

Vs Bath City | Away | ENLS | Lost 2-0

Vs Farnborough | Away | ENLS | Lost 1-0

Vs Hemel Hempstead | Home | ENLS | Won 1-0

Goalscorer: Noah Coppin 11’

Vs Maidstone | Away | ENLS | Lost 1-0

Vs Maidenhead | Home | ENLS | Lost 0-6

LAST FIVE: AFC TOTTON

Vs Torquay United | Home | ENLS | Won 1-0

Goalscorer: Brandon Haunstrup 44’

Vs Woking | Away | FA Trophy 3^rd Round | Lost 2-0

Vs Farnborough | Away | ENLS | Lost 4-2

Goalscorers: Ralph Vigrass 22’ & Scott Rendell 77’ (PEN)

Vs Hampton & Richmond | Away | ENLS | Lost 2-0

Vs Dagenham & Redbridge | Away | ENLS | Lost 0-5

COMPARING THE STATS (all comps)

OPPOSITION PLAYERS TO WATCH:

GOALIE/DEFENCE: Will Buse

Will Buse is a product of the Bristol City youth system, Buse has built his career across a range of non-league and senior clubs, earning a reputation for his shot-stopping ability, leadership from the back, and consistency between the posts.

Buse began his senior career after progressing through the Bristol City setup, gaining early first-team experience through loan spells with Truro City, Dorchester Town and Taunton Town while still a young goalkeeper.

Following his release by Bristol City in May 2023, he signed permanently with Yeovil Town, where he made appearances in the National League South and spent time out on loan at Bath City, adding valuable match experience at senior level.

During the 2024/25 season, Buse featured on loan with Weston-super-Mare and Weymouth, establishing himself as a reliable presence in goal and gaining further National League South experience with regular starts.

His performances attracted interest and, in August 2025, he moved to Salisbury FC, where he has become the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

MIDFIELD: Matt Briggs

Matt Briggs is known for his pace, direct play and goal-threat from wide areas, Briggs brings a proven track record in both National League South and National League football.

Briggs began his footballing journey at the renowned Wallsend Boys Club before joining Dorking Wanderers as an 18-year-old, where he would go on to become one of the club’s most influential players. Over nine seasons at Dorking, he made 291 appearances and scored 82 goals, playing a key role in the club’s rise through the leagues, including promotion from the National League South and subsequent campaigns in the National League.

During the 2024/25 season, Briggs was a near ever-present for Dorking, making 37 league appearances and scoring six times as the club finished in the play-off positions.

In June 2025, he joined Salisbury FC, bolstering their attacking options with his experience and creativity. During the early part of the 2025/26 season, he has featured regularly in the National League South and cup competitions, wearing shirt number 8 and contributing with his characteristic work rate and ability to influence games in the final third.

ATTACK: Noah Coppin

Noah Coppin has that goal-scoring threat, creativity, and impact in the final third.

Coppin began his senior career in non-league football after coming through the Chippenham Town setup, where he gained early first-team experience and featured in National League South competition.

During his time with Chippenham, he also spent periods on dual registration with Willand Rovers, Bideford AFC, Bridgwater Town, Taunton Town, Melksham Town and moved permanently to Weston-super-Mare, accumulating valuable minutes and developing his attacking instincts across a variety of league and cup competitions.

In July 2023, Coppin signed for Salisbury FC from Weston-super-Mare, arriving ahead of the club’s successful Southern League Premier Division promotion campaign. He played a starring role during that season, finishing as one of Salisbury’s leading scorers with 26 goals and earning the club’s Player of the Season honours while forming a key part of that promotion side.

During the 2024/25 campaign in the National League South, Coppin made 32 appearances in all competitions and contributing 9 goals and 4 assists.

Now in the 2025/26 season, in what has been a struggle so far for Salisbury, Coppin has been a bright spark, with seven goals from 19 starts in white.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee - Will Briers

Assistant Referee 1 - James Kerten

Assistant Referee 2 - Cameron Davis

Fourth Official - Calum Mcfarlane

GO STAGS