Sholing 2-1 United Services Portsmouth

Scorers : Conor Whiteley 56, Joe Adams 74  /  Joe Johnson 23

Date: Friday 30 July 2021, 7:15pm – Pre-Season Friendly

Venue:  Mackoy Stadium

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, Ryan Cluett, Marv McLean, Mitch Byrne, Dan Miller, Byron Mason [c], Joe Adams, Claudio Herbert, Conor Whiteley, Brad Targett, Dan Mason.  Subs used : Nathan Gray, Jo Smith, Martin Buckland, Yumo Wan, Stu Green, Jake Cope

Attendance: 128

Sholing played their first home game in front of fans for nine months and came from behind to win a closely faught encounter.  Second half goals by Conor Whiteley & Joe Adams saw the Boatmen end pre-season with a victory (unless we can get another game arranged).

With the Mackoy Stadium never looking better, Ryan Gosney returned in goal, but Robin Nicholls, Rafa Ramos & Charlie Wagstaffe missed out through injuries picked up at Basingstoke.  Ryan Cluett started the game, but only lasted a couple of minutes before a groin problem forced him off.

Sholing started with a very attacking line-up, but struggled with their link up play as the hard working visitors looked more fluent early on and took the lead on 23 minutes.  Joe Johnson ran and cut in from the left to hit a low 18 yard shot that sneaked inside the near post.  A minute before hand, Brad Targett was set up well by Marv McLean, but the striker's effort towards the near post was pushed round for a corner.

There was very little else for the home fans to get excited about in the first half.  Too many loose passes as the US Portsmouth defence were quick to close the Boatmen down.  Just before half time, Conor Whiteley burst past a challenge to get off a shot inside the box that flashed across the goal and wide.  HT 0-1

Sholing were noticeably moving the ball around much quicker after the restart, with a nice spell of possession ending with Whiteley firing wide.  On 56 minutes, the Boatmen were level. Yumo Wan crossed low into the box from the right wing, an initial effort was pushed out by the keeper, but it fell to CONOR WHITELEY to pick his spot to score.

On 62 mins, a short corner saw Whiteley pick out Jake Cope, but his attempted heel flick was saved.  He had a better chance straight after as the defence opened up in front of him, but Jake dragged his effort the wrong side of the post.   Sholing took the lead on 74 minutes when JOE ADAMS twisted one way and then another as he advanced into the area, before blasting a shot into the net via the inside of the upright.

Adams threaded pass into the overlapping Marv, who played much of the second half on the right wing, saw a low cross beat the keeper, but Jo Smith arrived just too late to finish the move at the far stick.     Boatmen saw out the rest of the game and Dave Diaper will be hopeful we can get another game under our belts before the Southern League kicks off in two weeks.  FT 2-1

Next Game :  Mangotsfield United v Sholing - Saturday 14 Aug 3pm

Photos courtesy of HR Media (swipe to view pics)

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