Scorers : Ellis Laight 112, Gavin Hammon 116 / Byron Mason 100
Date : Saturday 21st November 2015 - 3pm kick off - FA Vase Second Round
Buckland Athletic : Grant Fisher, Liam Drew, Lewis Perring, Andy Robertson, Simon Laughton (Ellis Laight 111), Liam Head [c], Shane Gill, (Simon Revell 101), Dan Griffiths, Gavin Hammon, Jared Lewington (Liam Moseley 81) , Lloyd Gardner. Subs not used: Marc Revell, Tom Buckler
Yellow Card :
Sholing : Ryan Gosney, Kev Brewster (Alex Sawyer 59), James Davis, Dean Faithfull, Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt, Barry Mason (Jake Hoole 90), Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Doug Rowe (Nick Yeomans 88), Marv McLean. Subs not used: Owen Roundell, Jordan Brooks.
Yellow Card :
Attendance : 139 (21 Sholing fans)
Man of the Match : Dan Miller
Referee : Timothy Burley Assistants: Nigel D’Arcy & Jonathan Barnicoat
SHOLING'S eight-match unbeaten run came to an end, as they surrendered an extra-time lead to lose 2-1 in the FA Vase.
Following an end to end tie with Buckland Athletic, neither side could break the deadlock. FA Vase rules dictate a period of extra-time and here the match exploded into life. Boatmen captain, Byron Mason, nodded his side into the lead 10 minutes into extra-time, however a late rally from Buckland put an end to the Boatmens dreams of a return to Wembley.
Team News : Sholing were close to full strength, but Jack Smith missed out and looks to be out for around a month with an ankle injury.
Winter was certainly on its way in a crisp and clear but hotly contested first-half at Homers Heath. The game flowed back and forth, as both sides league places suggested it would. Sholing are currently fourth in the Wessex Premier League, while Buckland are fifth the Western Premier League.
Marv McLean looked lively in the early exchanges, and the high pressing so typical of Sholing teams in the recent weeks almost paid dividends again, as Grant Fisher was forced into a hurried clearance. Buckland also provided a real threat, often looking to counter the Boatmens possession based game. Lloyd Gardner - who had been highlighted as threat before the match - was instrumental to their attacking.
He was joined in attacking down the left-hand side by Lewis Perring. His fierce shot across the box eluded Ryan Gosney but nobody was on hand to apply the finishing touch. Minutes later Gavin Hammon could only put Gardner’s cross back across the face of goal, but yet again there was a lack of support from the Buck’s midfield and Dean Faithfull was able to clear.
Dan Mason - back into the team after being rested in midweek - had Sholing first clear chance on 20 minutes. After bringing down Doug Rowe’s ball, he then sent a wild shot wide of Fishers goal. Before the half an hour mark, he had another chance. Again Rowe, having an impish performance on the right hand side, clipping the ball towards the six yard area. Mason then killed the ball on his chest, before swivelling to volley just over the bar.
Buckland’s Shane Gill, complimenting Gardner on the right-hand side almost poked his side in front. The Yellow’s winger capitalised on Sholings hesitation at the back. Fortunately for Faithful;, Gonsey was on his toes to clear.
In the battle of the wingers, both McLean and Gardner were having impressive games. The latters strong run into the box was cleared, while Sholings number 11 worked his way to the byline following Jamie Bulpitts incisive pass. However, as the ball then fell to James Davis, with time to pick his spot, the left-back could only fire over the bar. HT 0-0
Buckland came out for the second-half invigorated, and through Gardner had the best chances of the half. Jamie Bulpitts 35-yard effort was Sholings best chance. The powerful swerving drive worried Grant Fisher who dived full length, but it was the Boatmen's only clear chance of the half. And despite their best efforts, they were reduced to set piece efforts.
Similarly Buckland relied on the pace of Gardner to trouble Kev Brewster, and his replacement Alex Sawyer. Their only clear chance though was a looping cross that Gosney was happy to watch over the bar. Both sides were cancelling each other out, so it was no surprise that we went to extra-time. FT 0-0
The introduction of Jake Hoole and Nick Yeomans provided Sholing with an fresh burst of enthusiasm going into extra-time. Hoole was unlucky to hit the side netting when he was played through by Davis.
Five minutes before the break, Sholing broke the deadlock. Alex Sawyers whipped free-kick was met by BYRON MASON at the far post, and his downwards header nestled into the corner.
The view around the ground was that a single goal would settle a smash an grab result - but Buckland were offered an unusual route back into the game. Gosney came to punch at a free-kick, but failed to make contact. The ball then bounced off his head and into the path of Ellis Laight, who made no mistake from six yards.
Moments later came the sucker punch. Hoole collected the ball down near the corner flag, but instead of clearing it up the pitch, he passed it sideways to Gosney who hurridly tried to clear the ball, but his left-footed kick only fell as far as substitute Simon Revell. The midfielder then lofted the ball back into the area, where it fell for Gavin Hammon to fire into an unguarded goal.
Sholing could have snatched a last gasp equaliser as the ball fell to Dan Mason inside the area, he got some power behind a poked effort, but Fisher threw himself to his right to get fingertips to the ball and guarantee the win for Buckland. FT AET 2-1
Report by Ollie Harvey
Dave Diaper said after the match : "So Proud of my players today, great performance by them all. Football can be cruel sometimes. Totally devastated, but we move on."
View from the Stands : A real gutting defeat for Sholing players, management and fans alike. Players gave their all and in a good game of football on a heavy pitch, a replay looked the likely outcome. Both teams were equally matched, with defences in control and no one put a foot wrong, until just two mistakes deep in extra time killed it for us.
When you look back to the Vase run two seasons ago, on a couple of occasions we won games that we probably deserved to lose and so it is with Cup football that you need that kind of good fortune. Today we didn't have it, although it will nag for a while that we gifted the goals. But, we move on and we have a strong bunch of lads who will put this behind them and keep the focus on doing their best in the League and the 4 Cup Competitions we currently remain in.
Many thanks to the Sholing supporters who made the long trip and the Ultras who never stopped singing and backing the team.
Good luck to Buckland Athletic in the next round and beyond.
Next Home Game : Saturday 28th - Sholing v Team Solent - Wessex Premier - 3pm