Sholing1 1Winchester

Scorers : Bradley Targett 80 / Oliver Bailey 69

Date: Friday 21st July 2018 7:45pm - Pre Season Friendly

Venue: Universal Stadium

Sholing players used: Ryan Gosney, Owen Roundell, Pete Castle, Jack Smith, Marv McLean, Owen Royl, Jamie Bulpitt, Byron Mason, Harry Edmondson, Dan Mason, Lee Wort, TJ Cuthbertson, Alex Sawyer, Bradley Targett, Billy Connor, JP Alexander, Connor Pearson

Winchester City : Pryce, Hayward, Trialist, Roberts, Cocklin, Barron, Rawkins, Gilbert, Mlambo, Bailey, Mitford. Subs : Gale, Tombs, Corner, Kitcher, Davis, Sunley, Trialist

Attendance:  88

Referee: Stephen Graham  Assistant Referees: Chloe-Ann Anderson & Ffion Eade

Sholing brought their pre-season friendlies to an end with a draw against Winchester City.  Made it 3 games unbeaten from teams playing in the league above us next season, but the main focus is on gaining fitness and sharpness ahead of the new campaign in August.

Sholing were without Dan Miller, Jake Hoole & Kev Brewster, but welcomed back TJ, Alex Sawyer & Billy Connor to the squad after all three had been sidelined with knee injuries.  Winchester, playing their 3rd game of the week, brought a squad including a couple of trialists and several players who faced us in the Wessex last season.

After a cagey opening, Sholing fashioned the first chance on 14 minutes when Lee Wort squared to Dan Mason inside the area, but D-Dan didn't get the connection he wanted and it was a comfortable save.  On 20 minutes Jamie Bulpitt skipped past a challenge and slotted a through ball to Lee Wort, who tried to chip the keeper, but Pryce was able to just get his finger tips to the ball to deflect it away.  

Gilbert had Winchester's best chance, but a combination of Gosney & Castle blocked his initial effort, with the rebound being blazed over.  It was Sholing's turn to blaze over the bar on 36 mins when following a corner, the ball dropped to Owen Roundell, 12 yards out, he connected well with the half volley, but the ball kept on rising.  Boatmen created an opening for Lee Wort just before half time, the striker found space on the edge of the area and opened up his body for a sidefoot curled effort that went narrowly wide.  HT 0-0

TJ, Alex Sawyer & Billy Connor came on for the restart as the game remained competitive, but there was little in the way of goalmouth action.  Winchester were better in possession and took the lead on 69 minutes with a well taken goal.  A quick break saw Ollie Bailey collect the ball inside the left side of the area, check back and curl a shot into the far corner.    Sholing's best play came down the flanks with Billy Connor & Brad Targett working hard to both run at pace with the ball and quickly close down Winchester's defence.

On 80 minutes Sholing got the equaliser as Owen Roundell's diagonal ball to the far side of the box was expertly chested down by BRAD TARGETT and the 17 year old broke into space to smash past the advancing keeper from 10 yards.  Was the Development Squad player's first goal for the Senior side.  FT 1-1

Shirt sponsorship draw will now take place on Monday at the Sholing Annual General Meeting

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)

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