Scorers : TJ Cuthbertson 62
Date: Saturday 13th October 2018 - 3pm - Buildbase FA Vase First Round
Venue: The Mill
Torpoint Athletic : Jason Peters, Josh McCabe, Lee Bevan [c], Sam Hill, Elliot Crawford, John Heveran, Gary Hird, Mike Roberts, Darren Hicks, Danny Zalick, Connor Rush (Luke Cloke 75). Unused Subs : Steve Rogers, Tyler Yendle, Brodie Cole
Yellow Cards:
Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean, Pete Castle, Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt, Alex Sawyer, Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Jake Hoole (Bradley Targett 63). Unused Subs : Jack Smith, Owen Roundell, Kevin Brewster, Owen Royl
Yellow Cards: Dan Miller
Attendance: 116
Referee: Ben Slade Assistants: Gareth Wharton & Andrew Dustin
Sholing progressed into the second round of the FA Vase on a very blustery day in Cornwall at Step 6 side, Torpoint Athletic. It was a clinical header from TJ Cuthbertson, just after the hour mark, that ensured the Boatmen are in the hat for Monday's draw.
Team News: Dave Diaper made six changes from the midweek cup win over QK Soton fielding his strongest team. Jack Smith, Kevin Brewster, Owen Roundell & Bradley Targett all dropping to the bench. Jamie Bulpitt returned from a 2 week injury layoff to start. Billy Connor and Nick O'Donnell travelled with the squad as cover. Jake Hoole was making his 100th appearance for the Boatmen.
With the overnight bad weather easing slightly the Boatmen left their Plymouth base around 11:00 following the pitch being passed fit at the 8:00 am inspection. With Tamar Bridge open the Boatmen arrived 3 hours before kick off so made use of the Torpoint Athletic clubhouse relaxing playing Pool and Darts.
The game started in windy conditions, although thankfully, the rain had abated. It was a scrappy opening from both sides and the game wasn't helped by niggly stoppages in play. After 15 mins Sholing won their 1st corner followed swiftly by another, but Jason Peters in the Torpoint goal wasn’t tested. On 20 mins Jake Hoole picked out Lee Wort, but he couldn't add to his tally as he saw his effort deflected for another corner that was easily dealt with by the home team.
Alex Sawyer's free kick was played into a crowded penalty area and the ball was headed goalwards, but was scrambled off the line to keep the score even. Torpoint Athletic won their 1st corner after 38 mins, but this was cleared by Dan Miller and Byron Mason. Ryan Gosney was called into action when Connor Rush tried a long range effort but Gos easily collected the shot. HT 0-0
The half time entertainment was provided by the Sholing substitutes and Nick O'Donnell, who was stopping everything they could throw at him. The wind was still gusting strongly, but the main worry was over the fading light and whether the floodlights would have to be called upon following their failure last week.
Sholing tried to use the wings more in the 2nd half with Lee Wort and Jake Hoole getting into the full backs more. The game still continued with lots of stoppages. Alex Sawyer’s eye for goal saw his free kick go just wide of Peters upright.
Just on the hour Torpoint won a free kick on the edge of the box after Dan Miller was adjudged to have fouled the forward when he made his clearance. Before the free kick was take the Sholing centre half received a rare caution from referee Slade. Torpoint Athletic wasted the free kick as the ball sailed over the bar.
Two minutes later and the deadlock was finally broken when Jake Hoole got down to the corner flag and sent in a penetrating cross that just evaded a heavily marked Dan Mason, but the incoming TJ CUTHBERTSON met the ball with clinical stooping header to give the Boatmen the lead.
A minute later Dave Diaper made his first change bringing on Brad Targett for Jake Hoole. Brad was quickly causing the defence problems from both sides of the pitch. Dean Cardew, the Torpoint Manager, made his first change on 75 mins with Luke Cloke replacing Connor Rush. A minute later Ryan Gosney kept Sholing in front when he pulled off a great save from Cloke’s rasping shot with a full length dive to his left.
With the match approaching stoppage time and Torpoint chasing the game, Brad Targett had two late chances to guarantee the victory. Torpoint won a corner and goalkeeper Peters came up leaving just their centre half back. As Sholing cleared the ball it fell to Targett in the Torpoint half, however the ball got caught under his feet and Peters surprised the young sub by winning the ball off of him. Torpoint’s final attack was broken down and Ryan Gosney punted a long ball through the middle and as Peters came out to collect, the ball sailed over his head. Targett got to the ball just before it went out of play, but with a tight angle, he hit the outside of the post. Sholing avoided a potential banana skin of a game to make it 5 wins on the bounce and 10th clean sheet of the season already. FT 0-1
Report by Greg Dickson
Dave Diaper said afterwards : "It wasn’t a classic today with the Wind howling around our ears. A scrappy game where we were always in control, but didn’t perform to our high standards and match recent performances, but the main thing is that we are in the hat for Monday. Thanks to our fans for making the long trip, we very much appreciate your support."
Next Game : Sholing v QK Southampton - Tuesday 16 October 7:45pm - Russell Cotes Cup