Sholing Development Squad 4-2 Laverstock & Ford Reserves

Scorers: Butler 12, Yeomans 25, Jenman 49, Drew 89 / Dan Paddington 76, Mike Joy 90+2

Tuesday 25th October 2016, John Stimpson Memorial Shield

Sholing: Josh Helm [c], Corey Cherrett, Jack Attrill, Sam Jenman, Harry Butler, Harvey Craig, Tanka (TK) Madzvamutse (Kieran Winman 72), Owen Royl (Kristian Cozzolino 45), Nick Yeomans, Joel Dew, Jake Hoole (Luke Bergg 45). Subs not used: Connor Pearson, Aaron Whitmarsh

Yellow Card: Owen Royl

Laverstock & Ford: Steve Butler, Shanley Harding, William Cranmer [c], Ted Granville, Dan Milton, Sean Lawler, Steve Dione, Dan Paddington, Mike Joy, Ben Rankin, Henry Paget. Subs not used: Sam Scott, Christopher Guthrie, Liam Hynes

Yellow Cards: Sean Lawler, Ted Granville, Dan Paddington

Referee: Sam Bowen    Att: 71

The Sholing Development Squad eased to a comfortable 4-2 victory over the Laverstock and Ford Reserves in the John Stimpson Memorial Shield group phase at the Universal Stadium under the watchful eye of 1st team manager Dave Diaper and Chairman Gerry Roberts. Iain Calder fielded a strong but youthful side with game time for Nick Yeomans, Jake Hoole, Owen Royl, Kieran Winman and potential others putting themselves in the window for the Horndean game looking with injuries and suspensions blighting the first team.

The home side made a bright start under the incoming fog through the floodlights at the Universal Stadium. Jake Hoole was brought down for a free-kick on the edge of the area, inside the first minute. Joel Drew’s curler was comfortably saved by visiting goalkeeper Steve Butler.

Moments later Hoole was involved again, the forward created a chance for himself with some neat footwork just inside the area, but he fired his low drive straight at Steve Butler. The away goalkeeper was called into action again on 7 minutes, racing off his line to beat Nick Yeomans to a long ball over the top and head out for a throw-in. Sholing continued to press forward, Jake Hoole raced away down the left and was brought down by Sean Lawler referee Bowen awarded a free-kick and showed the offender a yellow card.

The Boatmen opened the scoring from the resulting free-kick on 12 minutes, Joel Drew’s cross was headed on by Tanka (TK) Madzvamutse before Harry Butler got the final touch at the near post.

The home side continued to control the game in midfield, but on 21 minutes a frustrated Owen Royl received a yellow card for persistent fouling.

On 25 minutes the Boatmen deservedly doubled their lead. Sam Jenman sent TK Madzvamutse away down the right with a precise through pass, the forward held up play well, before playing it back across the face of goal for Nick Yeomans to turn home from close range at the far post.

Two minutes later, Laverstock and Ford failed to clear a throw in and the relentless TK Madzvamutse took advantage of some hesitant defending, finding himself one-on-one with Steve Butler. He collided with the keeper and the ball fell into the unguarded net, but the referee awarded a free-kick to the visitors for a foul on the goalkeeper.

On 31 minutes Sholing were awarded a free-kick on the right for a foul on Corey Cherrett. The home side had the ball in the net again moments later, as Joel Drew’s in-swinger was headed in by Jack Attrill at the far post. Interestingly, the referee appeared to rule the goal out for offside, even though the assistant’s flag had stayed down.

The home side continued to dominate. After great link-up play between Joel Drew and Nick Yeomans, the ball fell kindly to Corey Cherrett, but he fired straight at the goalkeeper. Sholing made a strong end to the half, on 42 minutes Joel Drew’s free-kick from the left was parried by Steve Butler. HT 2-0

The Boatmen made two changes at half-time with Luke Bergg and Kristian Cozzolino replacing Jake Hoole and Owen Royl. Luke Bergg almost made an immediate impact, he somehow turned Tanka (TK) Madzvamutse’s teasing cross over the bar when at arriving full-stretch at the far post.

However, it wasn’t long before the Boatmen made it 3-0. On 49 minutes Laverstock and Ford failed to clear a corner and after an almighty goalmouth scramble, Sam Jenman appeared to stab the ball over the line from close range.

Sholing were now in total control of the match, Joel Drew produced a superb save from Butler with a driven shot, after being picked out by Nick Yeomans. Luke Bergg rounded an onrushing Steve Butler, but scuffed his shot and it was easily cleared away by a defender. On 62 two minutes Josh Helm in the Sholing goal made an outstanding save to keep out a long-range drive, down low to his right.

Two minutes later the Boatmen went close, Joel Drew’s superb 20-yard free-kick clipped the outside of the post. TK Madzvamutse who had worked tirelessly was replaced by Kieran Winman to give the side fresh legs in midfield.

Laverstock and Ford pulled a goal back on 76 minutes. Jack Attrill’s poor headed back-pass was easily intercepted by Mike Joy, who produced a smart stop from Josh Helm, but the goalkeeper could only parry the ball out to Dan Paddington who steered the ball into the net.

It was now an open, attacking game of football with Sholing going close again when Nick Yeomans fired just over the crossbar from 20 yards. At the other end Steve Dione produced an outstanding save from Josh Helm, only for the referee’s assistant to raise his offside flag.

On 89 minutes Sholing restored their three-goal advantage, with Joel Drew finally scoring the goal his performance had deserved. He did well to keep Luke Bergg’s pass in play, before cutting inside, beating a defender and firing past Steve Butler at his near post.

However, Laverstock and Ford pulled another goal back in stoppage-time, Sholing failed to clear a long ball out of the defence and Mike Joy raced onto it and lobbed the ball over the onrushing Josh Helm from 20 yards deep in stoppage time. FT 4-2

The Development squad now have a further two home matches now following on from 7 away matches over the last 7 weeks. They now host Alton (29/10) & Colden Common (1/11)

Report by George Brooks