SALISBURY manager Geoff Butler was desperately trying to shore up his defence before tomorrow's Dr Martens League Premier Division match against Halesowen at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium.

Butler has targetted two players to plug the holes in a rearguard which has leaked nine goals in Whites' first two games.

"The daft thing is we outplayed Boston in the first-half last Saturday before going on to lose 6-0," reflected Butler ruefully. There were more signs of indecision at the back in Tuesday's 3-2 home defeat by Merthyr Tydfil and Butler admitted: "Roger Emms is the only defender at the club who is acceptable right now."

Salisbury have lost Kevin Braybrook from last season and have had Danny Rofe either injured or unavailable.

Butler, who signed Darren Powell from Weymouth and plunged him into the sweeper role for the Merthyr game, said: "There'll be more new signings to follow, hopefully in time for tomorrow's game."

Paul Wood has followed fellow striker Steve Tate on to the casualty list at Havant and Waterlooville after damaging an ankle in Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Margate.

So former Pompey youth front-runner Nicky Wyatt is called up for the Premier Division visit to Rothwell although Dave Wakefield, who substituted for Wood at Margate, is favourite to get the nod.

Taff Richardson is already emerging as a key man for Basingstoke who are home to Heybridge Swifts in the Premier Division of the Ryman League.

The former Wimborne and Weymouth midfield ace played a starring role in Tuesday's impressive 4-2 win over Ryman's runners-up Aylesbury on Tuesday and has been quick to strike up a good understanding with midfield partner Paul Wilkinson.

It's AXA FA Cup preliminary round day for the region's Dr Martens League Eastern Division sides with Bashley home to Calne and perhaps thankful for a moment of light relief from the Eastern League stage.

"We're a young side and we've had a couple of painful lessons in our first two league games," said general manager Jimmy Case.

"There's a lot of promise in the side but we are looking for maybe two or three experienced players to give the youngsters some help."

Jamie Laidlaw goes into Newport's home tie against Hellenic League North Leigh in high spirits after his midweek hat-trick against Burnham.

It banished the nightmare of a serious leg injury he sustained in only his third game for the club last season. Carl Lis is best man at a wedding and misses the North Leigh tie.

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