Winchester2 0Sholing

Scorers : Matt Benham 17, Jamie Barron 66

Date : Wednesday 3rd February 2016 - 7:45pm - Hampshire Senior Cup Quarter Final

Winchester City: Brendan Norris, Jake Newton, Danny King, Jamie Barron, Jamie Thoroughgood, Adam Tomasso (Harrison Fay 45), Adam Roberts (Michael Miller 76), Mick Hubbard, Zach Glasspool, Warren Bentley [c], Matt Benham (Harlon Basker 69) Subs not used: Brad Elkins

Yellow Card :  Norris, Bentley & Roberts

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, Owen Roundell, Jack Smith, Pete Castle (Nick Yeomans 76), Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt, Barry Mason, Alex Sawyer, Dan Mason, Byron Mason [c], Marv McLean. Subs not used: Jordan Brooks, Doug Rowe, Liam Attrill, Dean Faithfull

Yellow Card : 

Attendance : 96

Man of the Match : Byron Mason

Referee : Christoper Wade  Assistants: Sean Jenkins & Krasimir Petrov

Sholing’s slow start to 2016 continued as we lost our third game in a row, bowing out of the Hampshire Senior Cup following defeat to Winchester. Defeat at the Denplan - the first of Sholing’s seven away games this month - was harsh on the visitors however Barry Mason’s penalty miss proved costly, as goals from Matt Benham and Jamie Barrow ended the Boatmens hopes in the quarter-finals.

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Winchester started brightly, immediately forcing Ryan Gosney out of his area to clear. Moments later Adam Roberts tested the keeper, but he was equal to his effort. Gosney - who’s move to Sholing appeared after Winchester’s promotion to the South and West League meant increased travel commitments - looked to be in for a busy return. Mick Hubbard’s free-kick was destined for the top corner but Gosney acrobatically tipped the ball over the bar.

Despite Winchester’s early chances, it was Sholing who were gifted the chance to take the lead. Jamie Bulpitt’s long pass found Dan Mason but the striker was bowled over by Brendan Norris, and referee, Christopher Wade, pointed to the spot.  Barry Mason stepped up, but he blazed his shot a yard over the crossbar.

Undeterred, Sholing continued to attack and a minute later Pete Castle wasted another golden opportunity to put the visitors ahead. Alex Sawyers deep corner was met by the defender, but with the ball almost on the goal-line, the centre back unbelievably angled his header across the face of goal & wide.

Dan Mason - without a goal since November now - also went close. The tenacious Jamie Bulpitt’s precise long pass found the striker but after running into space Sholing’s 25-goal man could only muster a tame shot.

And on the 17th minute Winchester punished Sholing for wasteful finishing. Zach Glasspool was allowed time and space to run as the Boatmen back line and his squared ball found Matt Benham, and the winger duly applied the finishing touch.

As Sholing searched for the equaliser the pressure almost reaped rewards. Tidy build up play on the right-hand side allowed Byron Mason the room to work the ball onto his right, but his fierce swerving effort cannoned back off of the near post. It fell to Marv McLean on the edge of the box, but it came off the woodwork at such a rate of knots that Marv was unable to steady himself to get his volley goalwards.

With half an hour played Byron once again tested Norris, this time from further out. Although Winchester’s ‘keeper spilled the initial effort he reacted smartly to smother the ball before Dan Mason could tap in.

The instrumental Byron was involved moments later, sending the ball for Dan Mason. But thematically the ball wouldn't quite fall for the frontman and allowed Adam Tomasso to intercept the ball with a fantastic challenge - although injuring himself in process. Winchester ended the half strongly, and with a spell of high pressure. Benhams low cross caused confusion in the Sholing area, and last ditch blocks from Glasspool and Adam Roberts efforts were eventually cleared.

The half ended with a sending off - Winch boss Paul Masters was sent to the stand after loudly comparing the Referee to a Gentleman's genitalia.  HT 1-0

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The hosts returned rejuvenated, but once again it was Sholing who had the first chance of the half. Byron Mason’s teasing cross was cleared from the goal-line by Jake Newton, but Winch failed to maintain possession and Dan Mason was able to fire an effort narrowly wide from 30 yards.

For Winchester, Mick Hubbard managed to test Gosney from range, and ten minutes into the second half Roberts’ cross fell perfectly for Warren Bentley, but his effort joined Mason's penalty in flying over the bar and into car park.

Sholing’s best chance of the half fell to Dan Mason. The ball dropped perfectly to him in the six yard area, but after working space he fired straight at goalkeeper Norris who parried the effort away. Byron also tested Norris with a low precise curled effort, but once again the ‘keeper was equal to it. As was Gosney at the other end - whose instinctive hand palmed away Dan Kings drive.

But just past the hour mark Winchester put the game beyond the visitors. After being sent through, Jamie Barron placed his chance and deceptively finished past a flat-footed Ryan Gosney.

The goal changed the momentum of the tie, and despite the introduction of Nick Yeomans the Boatmen were left rueing earlier missed opportunities. The only chance in the remainder of the match fell to Glasspool, however his effort rolled agonisingly wide to the disbelief of the home fans. FT 2-0

Report by Ollie Harvey

View from the stands:  Disappointing to lose after creating a host of chances, but on the positive side, at least we were able to make those chances.  Despite the lack of games, the lads looked pretty sharp & everyone put in a good shift.  Perhaps just more match sharpness in front of goal would have made the difference.  Although, Winchester were always dangerous going forward, as you would expect with their attacking players, but Sholing's defence kept the Southern League's Leading scorer, Warren Bentley, pretty quiet.

Despite losing 3 in a row, worth pointing out that it was against two teams from higher leagues & the runaway Wessex league leaders.  I'm sure once we get back into a run of regular games, we can get back on track & finish the season strongly.

Next home game is on Saturday 13th v Cowes Sports - 3pm kick off

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