Salisbury City kicked off their pre-season campaign in emphatic fashion with a 5-0 demolition of Havant & Waterlooville at the Ray Mac on 1 August 2026. Playing under the lights with a 02:45 kick-off, the Whites produced a fluid attacking display that will have given their supporters plenty of encouragement ahead of the new season.

Dominant first-half display

Salisbury wasted little time in asserting their authority. The opening goal arrived inside the first fifteen minutes when a well-worked move down the left flank ended with a composed close-range finish. From that point onward, the match was played almost entirely in the Havant half, with the hosts pressing high and forcing numerous turnovers.

By the interval, the lead had been doubled. A corner delivery caused chaos in the box, and the ball was bundled over the line after a scramble. Havant struggled to get any sustained possession, and their only real chance of the half came from a long-range effort that was comfortably saved.

Second-half rout and standout performers

Whatever Havant's coaching staff said at the break, the pattern remained unchanged. Salisbury added a third just after the hour mark with a sweeping counter-attack, and the quickfire fourth all but ended the contest as a meaningful workout. The scoring was completed late on with a well-taken strike from the edge of the area that gave the visitors' keeper no chance.

For large parts of the evening, Salisbury's midfield controlled the tempo, while their full-backs provided relentless width. The match offered a glimpse of the squad's depth, with several substitutes making an impact in the closing stages. Although the fixture was only a friendly, the convincing nature of the result will not have gone unnoticed.

What it means

For Salisbury City, a statement win like this builds momentum heading into their competitive opener. Havant & Waterlooville, meanwhile, will treat the heavy defeat as a useful reality check, focusing on defensive organization and sharper decision-making in their remaining pre-season fixtures. In the context of a friendly, the scoreline matters less than the performance level — but a 5-0 victory is always a pleasant boost for the home support.