Portland0 3Sholing

Scorers : Own Goal (Sam Buckler) 40, Alex Sawyer 53, Brad Targett 69

Date: Tuesday 22 April 2019 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Venue: Weyline Stadium

Portland United: Mike Edgar, Ed Bastick, Chris Clarke, Alex Halloran, Lewis Whyton, Sam Buckler, Ryan McKechnie, Max Buckler [c], Jamie Symes, Richard Marshallsay, Jamie Beasley.  Subs: Sol Roche, Emanuel Roche, Bailey Rowe

Yellow Card:

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Owen Royl, Pete Castle, Owen Roundell, Jamie Bulpitt, Alex Sawyer, Byron Mason [c] (Josh Carey 85) Dan Mason, Jake Hoole (Imran Mpaata 82), Brad Targett (Toby Terry 88).  Unused subs : Dan Miller & Nick O'Donnell

Yellow Cards:

Attendance:  136

Referee:  Paul Barber   Assistants:  Roger Hughes & Mark Sers

Sholing finished their league campaign with their 34th win out of 38 games to set another Wessex League record for the best ever points per game ratio.  The Boatmen narrowly bettered Poole Town's 2008/09 title winning record for points gathered as Sholing repeated the same scoreline they achieved against Portland United last week.

Team News: Was a more familiar looking starting line-up, but Dave Diaper called up 3 Reserve team players to the first team squad. Imran Mpaata, Toby Terry and Josh Carey were all making their first appearance for the first team and all would come on late in the game.  Pete Castle was making his 200th appearance for the club.

Portland had the better of the first half, but were to find themselves behind at the break thanks to a bizarre own goal. Under pressure from Dan Mason, Sam Buckler lifted his back pass over his keeper and into the net.  HT 0-1.

Sholing extended their lead on 53 minutes, when after a good move, Jake Hoole spotted the run of ALEX SAWYER who fired under the keeper.  Owen Royl was to make two goalline clearances and Ryan Gosney also made a good stop, but the Boatmen made the game safe on 69 minutes as BRAD TARGETT cut along the byline before transferring the ball to slot past the keeper from an angle for his 19th goal of the season.  FT 0-3

After the game, Dave Diaper confirmed that the Boatmen will be promoted, saying : "Played 38, Won 34, Drew 3, Lost 1... wow! what a remarkable season and now we look forward to promotion. Thanks to the players & volunteers for all the hard work and commitment you have shown during the last 9 months. Now we look forward to the Russell Cotes Cup Final on 7th May"

Next Game: Christchurch v Sholing - Tuesday 7 May 7:45pm - Russell Cotes Cup Final (at Christchurch)