Sholing3 1Cirencester

Scorers : Dan Mason 6, Alex Sawyer 59, Brad Targett 88  / John Dennis 45+2

Date: Saturday 14th September 2019 - 3:00pm - Betvictor Southern League South Division One

Venue: Mackoy Stadium

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Sholing: Ryan Gosney, Tobi Falodi (TJ Cuthbertson 65), Jake Hoole, Owen Roundell, Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt (James Lauder 81), Marlon Mason (Brad Targett 79), Alex Sawyer, Bryon Mason [c], Dan Mason, Marvin Mclean. Unused Sub: Dean Faithfull

Yellow Cards: Jake Hoole, Tobi Falodi  Red Card: Jake Hoole

Cirencester Town: Lewis Clayton, Will Christopher, Will Tunnicliff (Jordan Morris 78), Michael Pook, Shayne Anson, Will Wellor, Oliver Artwell, Jack Freeman, Alan Griffin, Owen Windsor (Tommy Ouldridge 39), John Dennis. Unused Subs: James Mortimer-Jones & Malachi Lamie Cotter

Yellow Cards: Will Tunnicliff

Attendance: 142

Referee: Barrie Small  Assistants: Daniel Batchelor & Bradley Pike

clarkewillmott

Clarke Willmott Man of the Match : Dan Miller

Ten-men Sholing clinched their third successive victory inside a week with a fully deserved win over Cirencester Town. Dan Mason scored a typical spectacular goal, but Cirencester grabbed a quality equaliser on half time.  After Alex Sawyer had put the Boatmen back in front, Jake Hoole was given a red card, but despite being a man down, Sholing looked the better team and got a deserved 3rd late on after some great skill & composure by Brad Targett.

Team News: James Lauder & Brad Targett dropped to the bench with Alex Sawyer & Marvin McLean returned to the starting line-up. TJ Cuthbertson was available and Dean Faithfull also returned from injury as both took a bench seat, while Owen Royl again missed out through injury.

The Boatmen took the lead with their first meaningful attack in the sixth minute. Good pressure from Marlon Mason on the left back, gained possession with Bryon feeding Marvin Mclean down the left to run in on goal. Marv's angled shot was well saved by Cirencester keeper Lewis Clayton with the ball looping into the air. It dropped to the waiting DAN MASON, who connected perfectly with a first time 16 yard left foot volley that fizzed past two defenders on the goal-line. Moments later Owen Roundell headed straight at the away keeper with a header from a corner.

The majority of the first half was even and consisted of a number of set pieces for both sides. However, there was no clear cut chances and neither goalkeeper had to make a save, although both were dominant when dealing with crosses into the box. This was down to no lack of effort, but it seemed that defences were on top.

Moments after Bryon Mason had flashed a header wide from a corner, Jake Hoole was booked for an aerial challenge which appeared to be a clash of heads, but the referee indicated he thought an elbow was involved. Just as the Boatmen thought they would be ahead at the break, Cirencester equalised in added time. A corner delivery from the left was cleared by the defence, but the ball fell to John Dennis on the edge of the penalty area. The midfielder controlled the ball before curling it into the far corner, via the inside of the upright. It was a great finish that ensured the score-line was level and that probably was a fair reflection of the first half proceedings, despite Sholing clearly annoyed at conceding right on half time. HT : 1-1

After a slow start to the second period under the hot sun, Sholing retook the lead on the hour mark. A fine spell of possession concluded with Jamie Bulpitt spotting the run of ALEX SAWYER and bending an inch perfect pass into his stride. Sawyer advanced and clipped the ball past the onrushing keeper and it rolled gently into the opposite corner. In response Cirencester went straight up the other end and won a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. This set piece was blocked at source and the secondary shot from Oliver Artwell was comfortably saved by Ryan Gosney. Right back Tobi Falodi, who was again impressing in only his second start for Sholing, was booked when the Cirencester forward appeared to just stumble and run into him. It was Tobi's last involvement in the game, with TJ Cuthbertson coming on in his place.

Sholing were to suffer a setback when they were reduced to ten-men in the sixty-sixth minute.  Jake Hoole was shown a red card for a foul on a Cirencester player. Hoole appeared to have his shoulder grabbed as he went into a challenge, taking him off his feet as he connected with the opposition player.  The ref saw it as dangerous and gave him a straight red. In response to their numerical disadvantage, Marvin Mclean slotted into his normal left back position to preserve defensive numbers in the hope of protecting their narrow lead and Byron Mason sat a little deeper in midfield.

Although Cirencester had a spell of possession and a couple of corners, they appeared to lack ideas in the final third and it was the home side who looked comfortable and were creating the better chances. In the seventh-ninth minute substitute Brad Targett saw a shot cleared off the line with the ball finding its was to Bryon Mason on the edge of the box. The captain hammered goalwards, but saw his effort go inches over the crossbar with Lewis Clayton beaten.

However, Sholing were to make the points safe in the 88th minute when a throw-in from TJ Cuthbertson was well controlled with his back to goal by Dan Mason and his deft flick found BRAD TARGETT who switched the ball onto his other foot, sending his marker sprawling in the process and Brad coolly placed the ball past the exposed keeper from 10 yards.   It earned Sholing the three points and their second win in the Southern League, lifting them to 13th as they look a much sharper side than in the early stages of the season.  The win is also another confidence boost ahead of the huge FA Cup tie on Saturday versus Weymouth.  FT : 3-1

Report by Connor Steel

Next Game : Sholing v Newport IW - Tuesday 17 Sept 7:45pm - Hampshire Cup (Game at East Cowes Vics)
Next Home Game : Sholing v Weymouth - Saturday 21 Sep 3pm - FA Cup Second Round Qualifying

Photos by Keith Legg (click an image to enlarge)

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