Scorers : Jack Vallis 53

Date : Saturday 23rd January 2016 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Salisbury: Charlie Searle, George Colson, Eddie Perrett, Thomas Whelan, Jack Vallis, Calum Brockway, Daniel Demkiv (Claudio Herbert 74), Kane O’Keefe [c], Samuel Wilson (Ashley Jarvis 81), Brandon Mundy, Taureen Roberts (Dan Young 74).  Subs not used : Harry Wedlake, Sam Roberts

Yellow Card :  Calum Brockway

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, Dean Faithfull, Jack Smith, Peter Castle, Dan Miller, Alex Sawyer, Barry Mason, Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason (Jamie Bulpitt 45), Nick Yeomans (Doug Rowe 66), Marvin McLean (James Davis 66). Subs not used : Kevin Brewster, Owen Roundell

Yellow Card :  Barry Mason, Dean Faithfull, Pete Castle

Attendance : 786

Man of the Match : Byron Mason

Referee : Mark Shapland  Assistants: Rodney Burt & David Coles

A second-half header by defender Jack Vallis saw Sholing lose away at table-topping Salisbury in their first league game in five weeks. Vallis scored the only goal of a game between two Championship hopefuls in front of a huge crowd, that promised more than it delivered.

Team news: Dan and Byron Mason recovered from the illness that had kept them out of the match against Gosport. It was Dan's first start in 7 weeks, what with injury, illness & the host of postponements. Kevin Brewster was made to wait for his 399th Boatmen appearance, while Nick Yeomans kept his place in the side following his hat-trick against Gosport. Salisbury could name four ex-Sholing players, with Calum Brockway, Taurean Roberts, Sam Wilson and Ashley Jarvis having all played for the Boatmen.

Just three minutes in, two ex-Sholing men created the first chance as a left-wing cross from Roberts was flicked on by Wilson towards the far post, where Daniel Demkiv skied high and wide. Five minutes later, Wilson went on a run through the middle, breezing past Alex Sawyer before shooting over when he had better options, to the annoyance of Salisbury manager Steve Claridge.

Byron Mason’s last ditch tackle thwarted the hosts as they turned the screw without giving Ryan Gosney any problems. On a rare Sholing attack winger Marvin McClean was chopped down by Calum Brockway, who received a booking with McLean going through.

Two minutes later Salisbury threatened again as Tom Whelan blazed over from six yards after linking up with Wilson, before captain Kane O’Keefe’s downward header looked a certain goal until Dan Mason cleared off the line.

A mix-up between home keeper Charlie Searle and Vallis almost let in Nick Yeomans, although the home defence eventually smuggled the ball away. HT 0-0

Dan Mason was then replaced by Jamie Bulpitt at half-time, and the Boatmen could have taken the lead when Barry Mason’s powerful low shot was palmed away by Searle, but it just evaded the incoming Nick Yeomans.

Sholing were then given a warning when the strong & pacey Roberts, twisted and turned down the left and sent in a cross that was headed just wide by Mundy.

On 55 minutes, Salisbury scored the decisive goal, when Whelan’s free-kick on the left was met at the back post by Vallis. Sholing’s resistance was broken. Salisbury could have added another as Wilson, looking to move ahead of Dan Mason in the goalscoring charts, missed the chance for his 26th league goal by prodding wide.

Byron Mason then had an excellent chance to equalise just a minute later after McLean’s scuffed shot broke kindly for him, but he curled inches over the bar. Barry Mason was then booked for dissent, while McLean and Yeomans were replaced by James Davis and Doug Rowe.

Sholing responded towards the end as Byron Mason flashed a shot wide from 20 yards, before he was pulled back by Whelan. Doug Rowe’s flicked header from the following free kick flew inches wide in what was Sholing’s final chance.

Peter Castle and Dean Faithfull were both booked for stopping dangerous counter attacks later on as the hosts pressed, and Castle did well to block Mundy’s low strike. FT 1-0

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)

• Dan & Marv Dan & Marv
• Marv hits the deck Marv hits the deck
• Baz on the break Baz on the break
• Bryon has a shot Bryon has a shot
•