Match Preview: Salisbury FC - 3rd April 2026

Photo courtesy of Ben Cole

By Josh Cole

AFC Totton kicks off their Easter Weekend on Good Friday with a home game against Salisbury!

Last time out a last-gasp equaliser scored by Luke Hallett earnt AFC Totton a point away at Chelmsford! CLICK HERE to read the match report.

SALISBURY – THEIR SEASON SO FAR:

The Whites are currently in 18th place on 49 points from 41 games. CLICK HERE to view the full league table.

Salisbury’s season didn’t start off too great in their second consecutive season 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.

January was a good month for Salisbury as they started to move clear of the relegation spots. The month started in the craziest possible fashion, with a 5-4 win against Worthing. In their other three games in the month, they picked up one win, one draw and one loss.

February was another steady month for Salisbury. They didn’t manage to muster consistent results, but they picked up one win, two draws and three losses, not great but enough points to keep their head above the water.

March continued with inconsistencies, losing against Hornchurch (1-0) in their first game of the month but then beating Eastbourne (2-0). After a loss away at Torquay (2-1) and a crazy 3-3 draw away at Slough, Salisbury won their final two games of the month, and their final two games leading up to this Good Friday clash at The Snows Stadium.

LAST FIVE: AFC TOTTON

Vs Chelmsford City | Away | ENLS | Drew 1-1

Goalscorer: Luke Hallett 90+6’

Vs Maidstone United | Away | ENLS | Lost 3-1

Goalscorer: Christie Ward 70’

Vs Worthing | Home | ENLS | Lost 0-3

Vs Chesham United | Away | ENLS | Won 1-2

Goalscorers: Jaiden Bartolo 90+1’ & Tony Lee 90+6’

Vs Hemel Hempstead | Away | ENLS | Lost 2-0

LAST FIVE: SALISBURY

Vs Dover Athletic | Home | ENLS | Won 2-1

Goalscorers: Tommy Willard 28’ & Max Joliffe 45+4’

Vs Enfield Town | Home | ENLS | Won 2-0

Goalscorers: Noah Coppin 22’ (PEN) & Nathan Odokonyero 61’

Vs Slough Town | Away | ENLS | Drew 3-3

Goalscorers: Nathan Odokonyero 6’, Josh Hedges 42, & Noah Coppin 90’ (PEN)

Vs Torquay United | Away | ENLS | Lost 2-1

Goalscorer: Noah Coppin 86’

Vs Eastbourne Borough | Home | ENLS | Won 2-0

Goalscorers: Max Joliffe 51’ & Josh Hedges 59’

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: Max Joliffe

Jolliffe began his career in the academy at Arsenal, before making the move to Colchester United in 2022, where he continued his development and progressed through the club’s youth ranks. He signed his first professional contract in June 2024, marking a key step in his transition into senior football.

He gained his first taste of men’s football during the 2024/25 season with a loan spell at Maldon & Tiptree, making 19 league appearances and building important experience in a competitive senior environment.

Jolliffe made his Colchester United first-team debut in March 2025, appearing as a substitute in a 3–0 victory over Fleetwood Town, before continuing his development through further loan spells.

During the 2025/26 campaign, he spent time on loan with Billericay Town and Yeovil Town, making 10 appearances in the National League with Yeovil as he stepped up to a higher level of competition.

In January 2026, Jolliffe joined Salisbury FC on loan, where he has continued his progression at step two.

Still at the early stages of his career, Jolliffe represents a promising young talent gaining experience across multiple levels of the non-league and professional game, with Salisbury providing an important platform for his continued development.

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, Coppin has 15 goals in 45 appearances for Salisbury in all competitions.

MATCH OFFICIALS:

Referee: Jonathan Bolland

Assistant Ref 1: Christopher Britton

Assistant Ref 2: Sean Phillips

Fourth Official: Oscar Whiting

GO STAGS