Salisbury vs Havant & Wville

Salisbury dictated the opening exchanges. Forward Jaiden Bartolo was lively from the start, forcing early chances and creating an opportunity for Luke Russe that was cut out by the Havant defence.

The breakthrough arrived in the 27th minute. Russe threaded a first-time through ball into the run of Jordan Alonge, who slotted his first goal in Salisbury colours past the Havant keeper.

The Whites doubled their lead two minutes before half-time. New loan signing Dan Ellison — the Yeovil Town defender who joined Salisbury on a six-month deal on the same day and played 80 minutes — lifted a pass over the Havant midfield and defensive line. Josh Hedges controlled it, rounded the goalkeeper and finished to make it 2–0 at the break.

Dutton made three changes at half-time, introducing Salisbury's pre-season top scorer Nathan Odokonyero. The move paid off inside eight minutes of the restart. Alonge floated a ball to the back post for Bartolo, who headed across goal for Odokonyero to tap in from close range.

Bartolo made way for Robbie Gallagher just before the hour mark, and Gallagher became the architect of the final two goals. On 76 minutes, he combined with Alonge down the left, was taken down by a Havant defender, and the referee pointed to the spot. Odokonyero sent the keeper the wrong way, slotting into the bottom-left corner.

A near-identical situation unfolded in the 89th minute: Gallagher exchanged passes with a trialist down the left, was brought down again, and a second penalty was awarded. Odokonyero stepped up once more, this time picking out the right side of the net to complete his first hat-trick for the club and make it 5–0.

No cards were recorded in the match.

Odokonyero's introduction at half-time changed the dynamic entirely. Before his arrival, Salisbury led 2–0 but had done so through patient build-up rather than ruthlessness. Within eight minutes of the restart, the striker had his first goal — and once the penalty chances arrived, his composure from 12 yards sealed the result. The second-half treble took his pre-season tally to a team-leading mark.

Nathan Odokonyero (Salisbury) — A 45-minute hat-trick: one from open play, two composed penalties. Salisbury's top scorer of pre-season finished the preparation period in irrepressible form.

Jordan Alonge (Salisbury) — Scored the opener, assisted Odokonyero's first with a pinpoint cross to the back post, and combined with Gallagher to win the first penalty. Involved in three of the five goals.

Robbie Gallagher (Salisbury) — Introduced on the hour, won both penalties with direct running down the left channel. His impact from the bench was decisive.

Dan Ellison (Salisbury) — The Yeovil loanee played 80 minutes on the same day his move was announced and provided the assist for Hedges' goal with a clever lofted pass.

Salisbury's five goals came from five different sources: Alonge, Hedges, and Odokonyero (3). The two second-half penalties reflected a pattern of sustained pressure — both conceded after Gallagher had beaten his man in wide areas. The provider data shows all five goals as normal or penalty goals, with no cards for either side, suggesting a clean if one-sided contest. Salisbury's margin of victory matched the gap in quality between a settled Step 2 side in their final pre-season run-out and a team still integrating personnel.

Salisbury head into their National League South opener against Hampton & Richmond Borough on Saturday 8 August with a perfect pre-season finish and significant momentum. Odokonyero's form — he finished as the club's leading pre-season scorer — gives Dutton a proven goal threat for the competitive campaign.

For Havant & Waterlooville, the 5–0 defeat rounds off a pre-season schedule that included matches against AFC Portchester, Bromley and Salisbury. They will look to address defensive organisation before their Southern League Premier South campaign begins.

A straightforward, clinical pre-season performance from Salisbury, who were sharper in every phase. The Odokonyero hat-trick was the headline, but the service from Alonge, Bartolo and Gallagher gave Dutton encouraging signs of attacking depth ahead of the 2026/27 season proper.