Sholing4 2Totton

Scorers :  Jake Hoole 31, Lukas Sabo 38, James Davis 52, Jamie Bulpitt 60  /  Jake Burgess 30, Jack Alexander 86

Date : Wednesday 28th October 2015 - 7:45pm kick off - Russell Cotes Cup First Round

Sholing : Jordan Brooks, Olegs Tkacovs, Jack Attrill, Dean Faithfull, Owen Roundell, Victor Odeyemi (Joel Drew 34), Lukas Sabo (Liam Attrill 63), Jack Smith [c] (Jamie Bulpitt 55), Nick Yeomans, James Davis, Jake Hoole.   Subs not used: Breon Graham, Ryan Gosney

Yellow Card : 

AFC Totton : Steve Mowthorpe, Neil Williams, Rhys Ferguson, Jack Alexander, Luke Dempsey, James Roden [c], Nick Watts, Jake Burgess (Charlie Wagstaff 63), Tony Lee, Taylor Edwards, Jake Rawkins (Matthew Brener 55).  Subs not used: Nathanial Sherborne, Liam Hibberd, Gareth Schultze 

Yellow Card : 

Attendance : 109

Man of the Match : James Davis

Referee : Andrew Dine  Assistants: Peter Lowe & Amy Robinson

A very young Sholing team came from behind to stun struggling AFC Totton 4-2 and progress to the second round of the Russell Cotes Cup. Dave Diaper made nine changes from the side that beat Horndean 2-0, handing debuts to 5 players.  Totton had out, pretty much, their strongest available side, which included ex-Boatmen, Nick Watts.

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Sholing’s Victor Odeyemi had the first shot on goal following good link up play by James Davis and Jake Hoole, but the midfielder fired over. Totton then slowly started to retain possession and Taylor Edwards met Jake Rawkins’ cross with a tame header that Jordan Brooks saved comfortably.

Jake Burgess struck a fierce strike from outside the area over the bar before Nick Watts smashed a cross across the face of the Sholing goal, which only required a touch to give the visitors the lead. The early pressure eventually led to the game’s opener on the half hour, as Jake Burgess climbed highest at the far post to head in a free kick to give the Stags the lead.

But less than 60 seconds later Sholing were level as JAKE HOOLE, who impressed in the first team’s 2-0 win on Saturday, ran down the left wing and his cross-shot lobbed over Steve Mowthorpe and into the far corner.

Brooks did well to get down and save Tony Lee’s shot for Totton before the Boatmen took the lead from some catastrophic defending. Hoole’s through ball was deflected across the visitors box, and as the opposing goalie and centre half were playing hot potato, LUKAS SABO poked the ball home from 4 yards out.  HT 2-1

The away side went on the offensive early in the second half, as Edwards’s shot again went just wide of the left post. But it was Sholing’s number 10 who was more accurate, as JAMES DAVIS ran onto a measured Lukas Sabo through ball and calmly side-footed past Mowthorpe into the bottom left corner.

A minute later it could have been worse for the visitors, as Mowthorpe’s clearance cannoned off Nick Yeomans and went just wide of the Totton goal. JAMIE BULPITT came on to replace Jack Smith and within 5 minutes, ended the game as a contest on the hour mark with a stunning goal.  The ball sat up for Jamie, about 30 yards out and he hit a half volley that dipped late over the back peddling keeper and into the top corner.

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The Boatmen dominated proceedings for the majority of the second half, with Davis slashing just wide from a Hoole through ball. Bulpitt nearly added a second long range strike if it wasn’t for the reflexes of Mowthorpe to tip over this stinging shot from 25 yards.  Sholing's nippers were first into every tackle and showed great desire to increase the scoreline against a ragged looking Totton team. Firstly, Jake Hoole had a shot just wide and then Nick Yeomans had an effort from a tight angle headed off the line.

Totton got a late consolation when on-loan Eastleigh player, Jake Alexander did well to cut in from the left wing and find the far corner with a shot across Jordan Brooks.  But the youthful Boatmen weren't to be denied a well deserved win against the team from a higher division.  We will now play Horndean at the Silverlake in round two.  FT 4-2

Report by Liam Richner

Before the game, Dave Diaper explained his team selection : "We face Laverstock & Ford this Saturday in a crucial FA Vase game so I have rested 8 players for tonight's game against AFC Totton, I see tonight's game as a great opportunity for us to play a team full of youngsters sprinkled with a few First Team players and Fringe players. Out of courtesy and respect I contacted Steve (Totton Manager) and told him my intentions and Whilst we want to win every game we feel we need to track and monitor our future talent and give them the opportunity to show us what they have got and if they are ready to contribute to the Club's future."

View from the stands: A very impressive performance and result in an enjoyable game to watch for any Sholing fan.  It's a good sign of the health of the club that players from the U18's can step up into the First team and not look at all out of place.  The average age of the side was 20, with 7 players being 18 or under (including those who came on from the bench). The younger lads all showed good touch, composure & movement and were physically able to cope with playing against older & more experienced players.  Well done to all the lads for a thoroughly entertaining win!

Next home game is on Saturday in the FA Vase against Laverstock & Ford, 3pm

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