Sholing1 0WhitchurchUtd

Scorers : Dan Mason 18

Date : Saturday 19th November 2016 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Venue : Universal Stadium

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, Corey Cherrett, Owen Royl, Owen Roundell, Dan Miller, Alex Sawyer, Zac Mouland (Nick Yeomans 76), Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Jamie Bulpitt.  Subs not used: Jake Hoole, Marlon Mason, Kieran Winman, Jordan Brooks

Yellow Card: Jamie Bulpitt

Whitchurch United : Ellis Grant, Charlie Bragg, Will Gange (Josh Green 75), Scott Hassell, Craig Smith, Shawn Foster, Jack Breed, Declan McCarthy (Babucarr Bojang 63), Danny Phillips (Ross Bourke 83), Jack McCarthy [c], Alife Lis. Subs not used: Sam McCarthy, Tyler Lewis

Yellow Card: Alfie Liss

Attendance : 84

Man of the Match : Lee Wort

Referee: Sean Phillips  Assistants : Geoff Skillen & Darron Larner

Sholing extended their unbeaten run to five matches and their third consecutive clean sheet as they laboured to a 1-0 victory over Whitchurch United in the Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division in appalling conditions.

Dan Mason’s acrobatic first-half volley was enough to secure an important three points for the Boatmen, as they moved up to second in the table, on an emotional afternoon at the Universal Stadium.

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There was a minute’s applause before kick-off to mark the sad passing of Derek Brewster, long-time supporter and good friend of the club, and Andy Dine, a level three referee who officiated at Sholing on several occasions.

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Team News: Sholing manager Dave Diaper made one change from the 6-0 victory at Amesbury Town on Tuesday, with Owen Royl replacing the unavailable Marvin McLean at left-back. Barry Mason missed out through injury. Pete Castle and Jack Smith remain long-term absentees. Reserves leading goalscorer Marlon Mason was called up for a place on the bench.

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Both teams made a slow start, Dan Mason fired straight at Whitchurch goalkeeper Ellis Grant from 20 yards. At the other end, Jake McCarthy fired wide of Ryan Gosney’s goal, before going close with a diving header from Jack Breed’s cross. Dan Mason saw his effort go wide of the Whitchurch goal. It was a scrappy and fairly uneventful first half, but the home side opened the scoring on 18 minutes.

Alex Sawyer did brilliantly to control Byron Mason's deep cross and with one touch, turn the ball back across the six-yard box for DAN MASON to acrobatically hook into the net. Goalkeeper Ellis Grant got a strong hand to the shot, but he couldn’t keep it out.

There was then an emotional moment when the entire Sholing team then ran to celebrate the goal – Mason’s 22nd of the season – with the watching Kevin Brewster and his family, a touch of class from the Boatmen.

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At the other end, Ryan Gosney was called into action for the first time as Whitchurch threatened on 22 minutes. Gosney made a superb one-handed stop to thwart Jack McCarthy’s powerful shot down low to his left.

Sholing began to control the game in the midfield but struggled to break their opponents down in the final third, with occasional success coming from the wide areas. Corey Cherrett’s superb cross on the run from the right was headed just wide by Zac Mouland at the far post on 31 minutes.

Whitchurch came closest to scoring in the first half when Ryan Gosney came to punch a cross clear and missed the ball, fortunately Dan Miller was on hand to clear off near the line.

On 41 minutes Sholing were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area after good hold-up play from Zac Mouland. Lee Wort’s free-kick almost broke for Dan Mason in the area, but goalkeeper Ellis Grant raced off his line to deny the striker, gathering up the ball at the foot of the post.

On the stroke of half-time Jamie Bulpitt created space for himself just outside the box but blazed his effort over the crossbar. HT 1-0

There wasn’t much to choose between the two sides in the second-half as the rain got heavier and heavier. On 55 minutes Alex Sawyer won the ball in midfield, played a give and go, but poked his shot wide. The midfielder then was found in space inside the area after some beautiful build-up play from the Boatmen, he lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper, but also over the bar.

Lee Wort was beginning to trouble the defenders with his quick turn of pace and sharp movement. His determined run eventually led to a chance for Dan Mason, but Ellis Grant produced an outstanding save to turn the forward’s 25-yard drive behind for a corner on 68 minutes.

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On 72 minutes Whitchurch substitute Babucarr Bojang – one of five ex-Sholing players in the visiting squad – made a promising run through the heart of the Sholing defence, his low shot deflected onto the outside the post.

In the same move, another strong run from Lee Wort resulted in a smart save from Ellis Grant to deny the striker from close range, as the Boatmen countered at pace.  As the weather conditions worsened, the game also deteriorated. On 87 minutes Jamie Bulpitt received his ninth caution of the season for a late foul and then four minutes into stoppage-time Alfie Lis was booked for clipping the Sholing midfielder from behind.

Dave Diaper’s side held out for an important three points and their 13th clean sheet of the season. FT: 1-0

Match Report by George Brooks

Next Game :  Ringwood Town v Sholing - Tuesday 29th November 7:45pm
Next Home Game : Sholing v Hamworthy - Saturday 3rd December 3pm

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