Scorers : Alex Sawyer 56, 80
Date: Saturday 9th March 2019 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier
Venue: Westwood Park
Cowes Sports: Ed Hatt, Dominic Sexton, Jez Conway, Callum Chase, Ashley Brett, Jack Broomfield, Calum Watkins (Nicky Vyse 76), Gareth Bricknell [c], John McKie, Aiden Coode (Charlie Allen 61), Conor White. Unused Subs: James Wykes, Aiden Bryan & Scott McFarlene
Yellow Cards:
Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Jack Smith (Marv McLean 30), Pete Castle, Owen Roundell, Owen Royl, Alex Sawyer, Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Bradley Targett (Bradey Norton 56), Jake Hoole (Jack Nicholas 85). Unused Subs: Kevin Brewster & Nick O'Donnell
Yellow Cards: Brad Targett
Attendance: 132
Referee: Peter Lowe Assistants: Huw Evans & John Bungay
Alex Sawyer’s second half brace edged the Boatmen closer to the Sydenhams Wessex League title and sunk the Yachtsmen as Sholing made it 24 wins out of 25 league games this season.
Team News: Dan Miller was away, Brad Targett returned from holiday & Jack Smith started ahead of Marvin McLean as Lee Wort sat out his 3rd match of his suspension with Jack Nicholas continuing on the bench.
Ahead of the match Jack Smith appeared to pick up a knock in the warm up but was able to start. Cowes player/manager John McKie produced the first save from Ryan Gosney low down to his right then Jake Hoole had two opportunities to open the Boatmen’s account. Brad Targett & Byron Mason linked up to find Hoole inside the box, but he hit his effort over without testing Hatt. Then, two mins later Brad Targett’s cross found Jake Hoole free, but the forward glanced his header wide.
A ball over the top appeared to hit Alex Sawyer on the shoulder, with the midfielder firing into the net on 14 minutes, however the Assistant Referee adjudged it to be handball to squash thee Boatmen’s celebration. Sholing had a scare when TJ Cuthbertson cushioned his header back to Ryan Gosney but the ball went wide of the keeper who had to react quickly to smoother the ball before it crossed the line.
Dan Mason is pulled back by the centre back just outside the area. Alex Sawyer and Jake Hoole line up the free kick just right of the goal and it was Jake Hoole’s effort that went just wide of the upright. Jack Smith was clearly struggling with his rolled ankle in the warm up and was replaced 10 minutes before half time by Marvin McLean. HT: 0-0
On 56 mins the deadlock was broken when Dan Mason finds Jake Hoole, who lays the ball off to ALEX SAWYER who strikes the ball past Ed Hatt from the edge of the box. With 10 minutes to go Sholing sealed the win when Jake Hoole was denied by Ed Hatt, but the keepers save is followed up by ALEX SAWYER who heads into the empty net for his 10th goal of the season.
Sholing maintain their unbeaten run in the League and Ryan Gosney notched up his 25th clean sheet of the season. Today’s win and other results means the Boatmen require 4 more wins to secure the title. FT: 0-2
Report by Greg Dickson
Next Game : Sholing v AFC Bournemouth U21 - Monday 11 March 7:45pm - Hampshire Cup Quarter Final