Scorers :  Marv McLean 11, Dan Mason 40

Date : Saturday 24th October 2015 - 3pm kick off - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, Kevin Brewster, Owen Roundell, Dan Miller, James Davis, Jake Hoole, Barry Mason, Doug Rowe (Lewis Kelly 66), Dan Mason (Lukas Sabo 83), Byron Mason [c], Marv McLean.  Subs not used: Jordan Brooks

Yellow Card :  Marv McLean, Doug Rowe

Horndean :  Derek Harding, Robbie Pittman, Alfie Smith, Sam Hookey, Lee Tigwell, Matt Burt, Reece Colbourne, Lewis Stockford, Harry Potter, Ian Humble [c], Mark Smith.  Subs: Harry Grinyer, Ben Oldfield, Dan Hayes, Gavin Spurway, Sam Doody

Yellow Card : Lee Tigwell

Attendance : 114

Man of the Match : Jake Hoole

Referee : Gareth Bridge  Assistants: Connor Mayes & Steve Wyatt

GOALS from Marvin McClean and Dan Mason handed Sholing a comfortable 2-0 victory over Horndean in their Wessex Premier Division clash. The Boatmen were always in control at the Silverlake Arena, and could have scored more goals in what was a one-sided affair. Despite the visitors’ naming Harry Potter in their team, it was Sholing who managed to conjure up a magical performance in front of 114 spectators.

Team News: Dean Faithfull was away and Jamie Bulpitt was added to the list of the walking wounded.  Dave Diaper was away at a family birthday, so Stu Hussey took charge and called up two players to make their debuts.  Doug Rowe, signed in the week from Moneyfields, went up front with Dan Mason.  Youngester, Jake Hoole, who has impressed in the FA Youth Cup team, was slotted in at left wing.

The hosts were on top for the opening exchanges, with the Mason brothers dictating the play. Captain Byron Mason came closet to breaking the deadlock, as his tenth minute cross-shot was turned onto the bar by Derek Harding in the Horndean goal.

A minute later the opening goal finally came, as MARV MCLEAN was put through by Barry Mason, and dispatched an accurate shot into the bottom left corner.

It was almost 2-0 on 14 minutes, as Byron Mason again hit the woodwork with a bullet header, which Harding couldn’t get anywhere near.  Both Doug Rowe and Owen Roundell had close range headers that on reflection, they probably should have scored with. Then Dan Mason skipped away from the ponderous Horndean central defence, raced down the left wing, but his cross on 36 minute was just inches too high for the unmarked Doug Rowe.

But the continuous pressure eventually paid off as on 40 minutes, new boys Doug Rowe & Jake Hoole combined to set up DAN MASON to finish from 16 yards with a low strike which was too hot for the travelling goalkeeper to keep out.

Hoole grabbed his opportunity with both hands after playing for the FA Youth Cup team in midweek, and produced an impressive and mature performance in midfield.  HT 2-0

The second half began as the first had left off. James Davis was tormenting the Horndean left back with mazy runs, and in the 48th minute, the left back crossed low to Doug Rowe who first time flicked it towards the far post but it skidded wide. Once again, Rowe was almost celebrating a goal on his return to Sholing, had it not been for a deflection putting the ball agonisingly wide.

Sholing were well on top and won a succession of corners & freekicks that Kevin Brewster delivered into the box with his usual accuracy, but they were either headed over or scrambled clear.  Ryan Gosney wasn't much more than a spectator at the other end, only really having a shot straight at him to contend with.

The best chance of the half fell to centre half Dan Miller. After Horndean struggled to defend a corner, the ball fell to Miller with the goal at his mercy. However, the centre back headed the ball over the top.

The rain started to lash down for the final 10 minutes to add to the very clear misery on the faces of a dejected Horndean side. The Boatmen should have made the scoreline more reflective of our dominance in the 88th minute. After a back heel from Barry Mason set up last substitute Lukas Sabo, but his shot went wide of the left post from 12 yards.  FT 2-0

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)

• Barry heads highest Barry heads highest
• Marv races clear to score Marv races clear to score
• Marv scores Sholing's 1st Marv scores Sholing's 1st
• Baz in shock Baz in shock
• You'll never beat Dan Miller You'll never beat Dan Miller
• Jake Hoole Jake Hoole
• Dan celebrates his goal with Byron Dan celebrates his goal with Byron
• 17th of the season for D-Dan 17th of the season for D-Dan
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