Bemerton0 4Sholing

Scorers : Dan Mason 6, 24 & 55,  Lee Wort 75

Date: Saturday 4th August 2018 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Venue: Bemerton

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv Mclean, Pete Castle, Owen Roundell, Owen Royl (Kev Brewster 70), Jamie Bulpitt, Byron Mason [c] (Connor Pearson 81), Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Billy Connor (Brad Targett 58).  Subs not used : Alex Sawyer & Nick O'Donnell

Yellow Card : Lee Wort, Jamie Bulpitt

Bemerton Heath Harlequins : Lewis Watch, Danny Field, Peter Fletcher, Jamie Smith, Joe Rawkins, Scott Hassell, Kelvin Robinson, Jake Burgess [c], Jake Slade, Callum Kitcher, Charlie Young.  Subs : Joe Spratt, Matt Fredericks, Jamie Waters, Matt Gunstone-Grey, Liam Greenough

Yellow Card : Callum Kitcher

Attendance:  104 (approx 40 Sholing fans)

Referee: Aaron Moody  Assistant Referees: David Brindle & Chris Porter

Dan Mason scored a hat-trick to get the Boatmen's season off to an excellent start with a big win on the road at Bemerton Heath.  Lee Wort also got a deserved goal as Sholing created lots of chances, whilst Ryan Gosney was a virtual spectator for much of the match.

Sholing were without Dan Miller, Jake Hoole & Jack Smith, but the rest of the first team were available and there were places on the bench for Connor Pearson & Brad Targett after both youngsters impressed during pre-season.  Billy Connor made his debut for the Boatmen.  It was a very hot day in Salisbury, but the pitch was remarkably lush and in good shape despite the heatwave & lack of rain.

The home team were given a warning of what was to follow, as early as the first minute, when Dan Mason rolled his marker and was in on goal, but prodded wide of the near post.   The Boatmen were on top and made it count in the 6th minute by taking the lead.  A corner was half-cleared and played back into the box where the keeper didn't get a clean connection with a punch, the ball dropping to Wort to poke towards goal, with DAN MASON getting the final touch to divert it over the line as Bemerton's appeals for offside were waved away by the officials.

Sholing were playing some nice stuff, linking up well with overlaps on both left and right flanks and opening up Bemerton. Both, TJ & Marv had got in behind before Billy Connor & Owen Royl combined with a cross finding Wort at the far post, but on the stretch, his effort went over.  The second goal soon arrived as Owen Royl's freekick out on the right wing was met by DAN MASON rising highest in the area to meet the ball with a well directed header that found the far top corner.

More interplay from Sholing saw Billy Connor break into space inside the box, his shot beat the keeper but cannoned back off the foot of the post.  Lee Wort also saw a header go narrowly wide as the first half was being played almost exclusively in the Bemerton half.  However, the home side finally fashioned a chance on 40 mins and probably should of scored as a cross was put over from close range.   HT 0-2

Sholing were looking to kill the game off early in the second half and did exactly that on 55 minutes as DAN MASON claimed his hat-trick with a typical clinical finish. Pete Castle's ball into D-Dan saw him control, use his strength to hold off his marker and smash a shot in at the near post.  He almost had a 4th straight away but a diving header went just wide.

The tempo of the game dropped as the heat took its toll on both sides, but Sholing remained in control and looked like scoring with every attack and could have had a hat-full in the last 15 mins.  The fourth goal arrived on 75 mins when LEE WORT controlled a through ball, advanced towards goal and drilled a low shot under the diving keeper from 10 yards.  Soon after, Wort flicked a ball over a defender's head inside the area, with it striking the Bemerton's player's raised hands, but despite both officials being close-by, no penalty was awarded.  

Despite limping through the last few minutes of the game, Dan Mason almost scored twice.  Although laying on the floor in the area, he hooked a shot over his head and over the keeper, but against the bar. Soon after, he took a bouncing ball first time and lobbed the keeper, but it went inches over.   The final scoreline reflected Sholing's dominance in a good team display to make it consecutive 4-0 wins at Bemerton and get this campaign off to a great start.  Thanks to our fans for their support today.  FT 0-4 

Next Game : Alresford Town v Sholing - Tuesday 7th August 7:45pm - Wessex Premier

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)