Christchurch1 5Sholing

Scorers : Grant Cormack 79  /  Bradley Targett 17, Dan Mason 35, Lee Wort 81, 85 & 87

Date: Friday 18th August 2018 - 7:45pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Venue: The M.A. Hart Stadium

Christchurch : Max Frampton, Brad Cherrett, Loyd Cole, Grant Cormack, Kieron Douglas [c] (Tom Cooper 66), Will Robinson (Ben Satterley 53), Marcus Cullen, Billy Walker, Scott Joyce, Max Wilcock (Jack Satterley 41), Nick Swann.  Subs not used: Dan Sansom & Oliver King

Yellow Card :

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean, Pete Castle (Dan Miller 41), Owen Roundell, Jamie Bulpitt, Alex Sawyer (Owen Royl 61), Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Bradley Targett.  Subs not used : Jack Smith, Kev Brewster & Nick O'Donnell

Yellow Card :

Attendance:  134 (approx 25 Sholing fans)

Referee: Martin Bloor Assistant Referees: Andre Linford & Robert Harrison

Lee Wort celebrated his Birthday a day early with the perfect present, a 6 minute hat-trick and another 3 points for Sholing.  The Boatmen continued their 100% start to the season and one full of goals as the front two took their scoring feats to 13 in 4 games.

Jake Hoole & Billy Connor were unavailable and Dave Diaper on holiday, so Marc Diaper & Iain Calder took charge, making two changes from Saturday, starting with Bradley Targett & Alex Sawyer.  Boatmen's first visit to Christchurch since 2013 and the Wessex 1 Champions already excellent facilities have been improved upon some more with new first class changing rooms to match an all round impressive set up. 

Sholing were wearing our new Joma Red & White kit, sponsored by Emerald Motor Company & Universal Plumbing Supplies

In front of a decent sized crowd, the game got underway on a pitch that was lush down the middle, but dry & patchy down the flanks. Game started quite even with Christchurch having a couple of shots go over, but Sholing were the first to get an effort on target as Brad Targett set up Wort, but his shot was beaten away by the keeper.  Sholing were increasing the pressure and it told on 17 minutes with the opening goal.  A corner was punched by Frampton to outside the area where BRADLEY TARGETT took a touch and cool as you like, steered a 20 yard shot through a cluster of players and into the bottom corner.  Was Brad's first goal in his first start for Sholing.

Ryan Gosney was commanding his box with authority, claiming several corners and crosses and on 30 minutes he also showed his shot stopping qualities, reacting quickly to get down to smother a close range shot.  Dan Mason went close with a prodded effort at the near post, but on 35 minutes he wasn't to be denied as he scored his 7th of the season. Byron Mason's pass over the defence from the left wing saw DAN MASON time his run to beat the offside trap, chest the ball down and on the half-volley, smash it low past the diving keeper.

On 41 minutes there was a nasty clash of heads in the centre circle as Pete Castle & Max Wilcock jumped for the same ball, but it ended with Pistol getting a split nose and Wilcock being stretchered off with a cut to his head.  HT 0-2

Second half started with Sholing in control, but not able to put the game to bed.  TJ Cuthbertson showed great skill to control a crossfield pass first time, knock it past the defender and run onto it, smashing a shot that hit the outside of the near post.  Some nice interplay down the left side ended with Dan Mason setting Lee Wort, but his curling effort drifted just over.

Sholing conceded a soft freekick on the right wing on 79 mins, which saw Christchurch grab a goal.  The freekick was drifted into the box where Grant Cormack had an unchallenged header that he placed back beyond Gosney.  That obviously lifted the home side & their support and for a moment it looked like we could have a lively last 10 minutes.  In fact we did have a lively last 10 minutes, but it was all Sholing, who went up a gear and blew the home side away with Lee Wort hitting his 6 minute hat-trick...

On 81 minutes, good work by Dan Mason saw the ball end up with a 50/50 challenge between LEE WORT and the keeper, both went in fairly for the ball with their feet, with Wort winning out over Frampton and tapping into the empty net.

On 85 minutes, a long clearance by Ryan Gosney was anticipated by LEE WORT who outpaced the defence, ran in on goal and drilled a low shot past the advancing keeper and it nestled just inside the far post.

On 87 minutes, with the Christchurch defence in disarray, Bradley Targett had all the time in the world to collect the ball in the area and square it to LEE WORT, 6 yards out, to slam into the net for his hat-trick & 6th goal of the season  FT 1-6

Another impressive performance by the Boatmen and quality finishing.  Not good to see 3 players having to go to A&E, all the best to Christchurch's Wilcock & Robinson for a quick recovery.  I understand that after a check-up, Pete Castle is ok.   Thanks to Christchurch for their hospitality and for our supporters for braving the A31.

Next Games :
Brockenhurst v Sholing - Tuesday 21st August 7:45pm - Hampshire Senior Cup
United Services Portsmouth v Sholing - Friday 24th August 7:45pm - FA Cup

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)