Scorers :

Date : Tuesday 15th August 2017 - 7:45pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Venue : Universal Stadium

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Owen Royl, Jamie Bulpitt, Dan Miller, Owen Roundell, Barry Mason [c], Jack Smith, Dan Mason, Bradey Norton, Connor Kelly.  Subs not used : Jean-Luc Ramdin, Marlon Mason & Jamie Bray

Yellow Card : Lee Wort

Horndean : Dan Harding, Benny Read, Sean Wain, Samuel Hookey, Daniel Sackman, Ian Humble [c], Jack Warren, Ashley Howes (Josh Maloney 49), Mark Smith, Miles Everett, Connor Duffin (Harry Jackson 24).  Subs not used : Danny Boyle, Liam Kyle & Tom Price

Yellow Card :

Attendance : 144

Man of the Match : Jamie Bulpitt

Referee : Lee Nowacki   Assistants : Tony Eade & Callum Ward

A much changed Sholing side edged a hard fought game, but couldn't find a decisive finish to claim all the points.

Team News : Marc Diaper rang the changes, with Marv & Sawyer suspended and Byron injured, he drafted in Owen Royl, Bradey Norton, Connor Kelly & Jack Smith.  Also making a welcome return from injury was Owen Roundell.  Lee Wort & Micky Hubbard dropped to the bench.

As ever, the Universal pitch was looking excellent as Sholing started on the front foot and created a good opening within the first two minutes.  Bradey Norton fired a well struck angled shot that was heading toward the far corner, but Harding did well to palm it round the post.  Boatmen continued on top, with Jamie Bulpitt firing straight at the keeper and then Dan Miller rose highest at a corner, but put his header a foot over the bar.

On 21 minutes, the game was halted when Connor Duffin went down after a 50/50 tackle. You could tell by the reactions of players on both sides that it was a serious injury.  Connor was stretchered off with help from both benches. Sholing supporter Jon Newell was also on hand to assist and thanks to everyone who helped out.

Horndean have passed on their appreciation of the care received whilst Connor waited for the Ambulance to arrive.  Everyone at Sholing FC wishes him all the best for a speedy recovery.

Sholing continued to create half chances, with Roundell just failing to connect to a freekick and then Bulpitt's shot was almost scooped into his own net by the keeper, but it spun just wide.  Boatmen had a good chance to score on 36 minutes when an indirect freekick was awarded a yard inside the penalty area after the ref deemed a back pass was picked up by Harding.  But, as often happens, the touch to the side for the shot meant the wall was able to close it down and clear.

Horndean, who had taken a little while to adjust to the early substitution, ended the half with three good chances.  Firstly a ball was lofted over the stranded Gosney, but was comfortable for Dan Miller to head away near the line.  Ryan Gosney had to dive full length to tip away a 22 yard freekick that was heading inside the near post. 

Gosney made another good save just before the break, but a minute earlier, Sholing should have taken the lead.  Dan Mason juggled the ball past two defenders and got off a shot that the keeper parried into the path of the incoming Connor Kelly, but he couldn't keep his side-foot volley down and it blazed over a gaping net.  HT 0-0

Brady Norton continued to look lively in a role supporting Dan Mason up front and his snap shot from the edge of the area wrong footed the keeper, but went just wide of the upright.  Both sides were full committed as the game continued at a good pace.  Within a minute of each other, both teams flashed crosses into the 6 yard box that somehow evaded forwards and defenders alike.

On 72 mins, a ball into Dan Mason at the near post was met with a hooked volley, but it cleared the crossbar.  Sholing's best chance of the second half fell to Connor Kelly, who got away a shot that bounced into the pitch in front of the diving keeper, but he adjusted quickly to push the ball away.

Boatmen had a few corners that were cleared, and while Horndean broke forward quickly, they didn't work Gosney and both defences stood firm to end a game that was more entertaining than the score line suggests. FT 0-0

Next Home Game : Sholing v Team Solent - Friday 18th August 7:45pm - Wessex Premier

Photos courtesy of Ray Routledge