The Sports end atheroller-coaster that has been 2024 looking to continue their unbeaten home league record against Salisbury.

Only table toppers Torquay United can boast a better record at home than Adam Murray’s side, who have won five and drawn five of their ten National League South outings at The ReachTV Stadium.

The message will be turning some of those draws into wins in the second half of the campaign. Though after playing just five of their last 13 games over all competitions in front of their home crowd, the Sports will be looking to make the most of home advantage today.

And the Sports will be looking to carry momentum from a hard-fought win away at high flying Weston-super-Mare last time out.

Kai Innocent scored his first goal since his return to the club before some stern defending saw the Sports come away with all three points.

In a game made difficult with conditions at The Optima Stadium, the Sports played the last ten minutes with ten men after Camron Gbadebo saw red – but dug deep to hold on.

Salisbury make the journey to the East Sussex coast buoyed by their 3-1 win over Welling United last weekend.

Noah Coppin scored a brace – including a late penalty – as the Whites beat the Wings to leapfrog the Kent side and move up to 18th in the National South standings.

After beating AFC Totton 4-3 on penalties in the Southern League Premier South Play-Offs last term, Salisbury have struggled for consistency as they adjust to life at Step Two.

They had gone seven games without a win before a 5-0 thrashing of Hemel Hempstead – with all five goals coming inside the final twenty minutes of the second half. That started a run of three wins in the last six over all competitions, which includes a 3-2 win at Chesham United in the Third Round of the FA Trophy.

This is the first time the two teams have met in National South action – although Salisbury City completed a league double over the Sports back in 2012/13 before they dissolved and reformed in 2014.

The two teams did face each other in the FA Trophy in 2019/20. Dean Cox and Charlie Walker had twice put Borough in front, but the Whites responded to force a replay – and a late Dan Fitchett goal gave Salisbury a 1-0 win in the Third Round replay.

After a resolute performance saw them beat Weston, Borough will be looking to make home advantage count and register back-to-back wins.

However, they know that there is no easy game and after a win of their own, Salisbury will have their tails up coming into the game this Boxing Day.