Sholing 1-1 Bognor Regis Town
Scorers : Rob Nicholls 5 / Tom Chalaye 43
Date: Tuesday 9 August 2022, 7:30pm – Pre-Season Friendly
Venue: The Imperial Homes Stadium
Sholing players used : Ryan Gosney, Josh Batt, Byron Mason, Brad Targett, Dan Miller, Rob Flooks, Rob Nicholls, Sami Makhloufi, Lee Wort, Dan Mason, Dom Panesar-Dower, Charlie Wagstaffe, Ryan Cluett, Conor Whiteley
Attendance: 204
Boatmen rounded off pre-season with a draw in an entertaining & high tempo friendly v Bognor Regis Town
Thankfully, the temperature was cooling down as the game got underway in front of a decent crowd, including a fair few from Bognor. With Dave & Marc Diaper on holiday, Byron & Barry Mason took charge.
The visitors called Gosney into action in the first minute, with Gos making a superb save by his post and as Bognor recycled the ball, he was there in the 6 yard box scramble to block another effort and then smother the ball.
From a Sholing corner, was the turn for Bognor to defend a scramble inside their area, but they could do nothing on 5 mins when the Boatmen took the lead. Some nice build up play saw the ball arrive at ROB NICHOLLS feet on the edge of the area and he hit a low shot across the keeper & it nestled just inside the far post.
Game was end to end and being played at what looked like, full tilt, by both sides. The Isthmian Premier league side were passing the ball at pace through midfield and a ball lifted into the box for a forward to impressively control and in one motion lift it over Gosney, but Byron Mason read the danger and was on the line to hook clear.
On 33 mins, Sami Makhloufi worked space outside the box to get off a well struck shot, but straight at the keeper. Down the other end and once again, Gosney made a difficult save look easy. Lee Wort thought he had scored on 36 mins, but a Bognor defender did well to somehow reach the ball as it was dropping into the net to head off the line.
"The Rocks" equalised on 42 mins, a defence splitting pass put in Tom Chalaye and his effort took a big deflection, looping over Gos and into the far corner.
Boatmen should have gone back in front almost immediately, Sami had space down the right channel to advance into the box, it looked as though he would shoot, but decided instead to square and it seemed to take Worty by surprise as he uncharacteristically scuffed his effort up into the air. HT 1-1
Sholing kept the same line-up for the restart, meanwhile Bognor made a couple of changes, including bringing on former Southampton player, Jake Flannigan. The tempo showed no sign of dropping as the second half was to be as entertaining and end to end as the first.
Bognor player tried his luck from 30 yards or more and it needed Gosney at full stretch as the ball looked like it might dip into the top corner. Byron was leading by example at the back, making a beautifully timed sliding challenge when the visitors looked to be in down the left. Josh Batt replaced Rob Flooks on 55 mins.
Sami Makhloufi displayed great close control to beat two players inside the box, then lay the ball off the Dan Mason, who lashed his shot over. Bognor were showing their quality by knocking the ball around very quickly and accurately and Gosney was called upon once more to make a terrific stop.
Sami & Wags came off on 61 mins, with Conor & Dom coming on in their place. Ryan Cluett had a chance with a 22 yard freekick, but couldn't hit the target. He then did well to control a crossfield pass from Brad Targett, before sliding the ball into Dan Mason, who spun and shot, but the keeper saved.
It was Lee Wort's turn to get in behind the Bognor defence, with his cutback finding D-Dan, whose attempt at a flicked finish lacked the connection to bother the keeper. Sholing continued to work very hard and defend well to keep the visitors from a higher division at bay.
A very enjoyable game to watch and served as the perfect test ahead of the league starting on Saturday. Thanks to Bognor Regis & their supporters and good luck this season. FT 1-1
Next Game : Slimbridge v Sholing - Saturday 13 August - Southern League
Next Home Game : Sholing v Melksham Town - Tuesday 16 August - Southern League
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