Sholing U18's 0-0 Newport County AFC U18's

After Extra Time - Newport won 4-2 on Penalties

Date : Tuesday 3rd November 2015 - 7:45pm kick off - FA Youth Cup First Round

Sholing : Jordan Brooks, Jack Fisher (Joel Ghosh 81), Jack Attrill, Kieran Winman, Liam Attrill, Will Gange, Joel Drew [c], Jake Dellimore (Jack Wilson 59), Luke Bergg, Nick Yeomans, Jake Hoole. Subs not used: Ellis Roy, Dailam Fard, Harris Wilson

Yellow Card : Liam Attrill 57, Luke Bergg 99

Newport County : Rhys Davis, Nathan Mathias, Finlay Wood (Nyall Gray 67), Jake Young (Dafydd Jones 81), Liam Angel [c], Cairan Smith, Lewis Bamford, Corey Shephard, Connah Hughes, Rhys Kavanagh (Samuel Jones 67), Cedric Matondo. Subs not used: Andrew Evans, Kyron Tolland

Yellow Card : 

Attendance : 131

Man of the Match : Keiran Winmann

Referee : Mark Derrien  Assistants:  Cameron Lucas & Mark Lillinton

SHOLING's spirited display against Newport County was not enough to see them into the second-round of the Youth Cup - as they fell to penalties. The young Boatmen showed great resilience and held League Two’s Newport to a goalless draw over 120 minutes.

In attendance at the Silverlake Arena were scouts of Arsenal, Reading and Brighton. With the spotlight on, both sides took time to find their rhythm. The opening exchanges were a medley of long-range efforts trying to catch the eye of potential suitors. Newport have Brackley Town in the FA Cup proper this Sunday so this was the shop-window to showcase their ability.

However, Luke Bergg almost forced Rhys Davis into an error early on. His quick closing rushed the ‘keeper into a hurried clearance that was blocked. At the other end, a Jack Fisher interception was brought down with a deft touch by Jordan Brooks. Brooks was one of four Sholing players to have been playing with the first team in recent weeks, along with, Jake Hoole, Nick Yeoman and Liam Attrill.

It took 20 minutes for the game to show signs of life, but neat wing-play that included brilliant one-touch play from Fisher, Yeoman and captain Joel Drew gave good cause for optimism. The young Boatmen were understandably a little wary in the opening exchanges - four of the opposition has had at least a few minutes of Football League action this term - but grew with stature as the half went on.

Although on 25 minutes, Rhys Kavanagh was able to make an incisive run into the area before trying to stab the ball over the ‘keeper. However his tame lob was recovered by Brooks. Moments later, Jake Young - who was having a tenacious game in the Newport midfield - fired a half-volley at Brooks, who once again gathered comfortably.

Young then almost set up Connah Hughes. His flicked header sent the ball to the forward in space, but the number nine hesitated with his touch before firing another shot out of the ground. And Young was involved again as he won a free-kick, perhaps over exaggerating the foul in the process. Newport then over-exaggerated their free-kick routine. With the ball just 25 yards from goal, Lewis Bamford squared his effort to Young, who again tried to spread the ball to the left. Sholing winger, Jake Dellimore was able to intercept and spark a counter attack. His pass found Bergg, however the striker was unable to fashion a chance and Newport recovered. HT 0-0

The second half opened up slightly and Sholing took advantage. While Newport were restricted to long shots and almost chances, the Boatmen were a constant threat down the left hand side. Firstly Jack Attrills run and cross eventually fell to Hoole, who seemed to be dragged to the ground inside the box, but the ref waved away the penalty appeals, but did give Sholing a freekick on the edge of the area, seconds later.

Joel Drew stepped up to the ball, and rather than try anything elaborate, he sent a curling effort over the wall and forced Rhys Davis into a brilliant tip over the bar

One downside to the Sholing performance was the isolation of Luke Bergg upfront. His best chance in the game came as he chased his own flicked header, bravely winning the ball and driving towards the edge of the area. However his hesitation allowed Newport to recover and send the tie to extra time.  FT 0-0

With scouts, and family, as part of the 131 in attendance, it was easy to see why the players were so keen to impress, but most importantly for the Sholing boys was to get a reward for all their hard work in this game.  Samuel James sent his 40 yard effort over the bar - the Welsh side gave an excellent display of Rugby penalty kicking in this match - before Jake Hoole tried his luck from 40 yards, but his clipped effort went just over the bar with the keeper backpeddling furiously. The ever-lively Bergg won the ball and played it into Jack Wilson, whose first time shot called Davis smartly into action to beat it round the post.

The game turned again after the break. Bamfords mazy run into the area set up Hughes, who again missed the target with all the goal to aim at. The striker did have the ball in the net moments later, but Cameron Lucas raised his flag for offside.

With minutes to go Sholing might have feared a repeat of last Saturdays injury crisis. Jordan Brooks came to punch but landed awkwardly on his back, fortunately he was able to continue.

Jake Hoole, who was a danger to the Newport right back all game, found some energy from somewhere to beat his man, but his shot on the angle flashed across the keeper and just over the bar.  The game ended and it was now down to penalties.  FT AET 0-0

The Welsh side then gave a spot-kick master class. Hughes, James, Bamford and Nyall Gray all dispatched their kicks with ease.

Despite Nick Yoeman and Joel Drew also scoring their kicks, Joel Ghosh and Jack Wilson saw their efforts saved by Rhys Davis to send the Exiles through to a second round meeting with Southend United.

Report by Ollie Harvey

Danny Maiorca spoke to Joel Drew & Nick Yeomans after the game:

Sholing captain Joel Drew was left encouraged by his side’s resilient display against Newport County in the first round of the FA Youth Cup on Tuesday night. “They’re a League Two side- we did very well to take them all the way to penalties and they weren’t expecting that,”  “We had chances to win the game; we were unlucky in the end.” “Everyone was excellent, especially Kieran (Winman) the centre back.”

“Hopefully we can take this and the experiences we have all gained tonight into the under-18’s league and win that, too.”

Meanwhile, striker Nick Yeomans felt that it was fair for the tie to be decided via a shootout after an even two hours of football. “We had opportunities and so did they- it could have gone either way,” the young forward said. “For it to be decided on penalties was a fair result.” “We came here tonight as underdogs and gave them everything we had, so it’s all positives.”

Sholing Youth Section Chairperson, Carly Kinsey, heaped praise on the boys : "You should be incredibly proud of yourselves for making it to the First Round Proper. It is no mean feat and tonight you made a professional academy side look average. Please do not be too downhearted, I know that's easier said then done but you were amazing tonight."

"We really truly have a great side here that can compete with the pros. You were unlucky tonight lads but onwards and upwards!!! First Team beckons!"

"Also a message to the supporters - thank you so so much for getting behind the team tonight! We really do appreciate it!"