Wimborne Town 2-3 Sholing

Scorers : Addwell 7 & 34 / Conor Whiteley 33, Brad Targett 36, Stu Green 58

Date: Tuesday 13 July 2021, 7:30pm – Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: J & Bs Stadium - New Cuthbury

Sholing: Luke Deacon, Ryan Cluett, Jo Smith (Yumo Wan 66), Mitch Byrne, Dan Miller, Robin Nicholls, Charlie Wagstaffe (Martin Buckland 65), Claudio Herbert, Brad Targett, Conor Whiteley (Nathan Gray 60), Stu Green (Rafael Ramos 74). Unused subs : Jake Cope & Michael Kurn

Attendance: Approx 150

Referee: Steve Fall Assistants: Neil Lewis & Andy Brown

Sholing got pre-season underway with a win and a good performance at Wimborne Town at their impressive new stadium. Conor Whiteley & Brad Targett grabbed first half goals to square the game at half time, but the undoubted highlight of the match was a stunning volley by Stu Green in the second half.

The "New Cuthbury" is located on the edge of Wimborne, but is already almost surrounded by new housing developments. The ground includes a big clubhouse, two seated stands either side of the half way line and a full length covered terrace behind one goal. Thankfully, Wimborne didn't bring their infamous slope from the old Cuthbury with them, so the new playing surface looked immaculate, with Oxford United using it as their base for pre-season training this week. There's also a 3G pitch next door owned by the club, for vital revenue generation outside of matchdays.

It was a perfect summer's evening for the game after the thundery showers the days before. Warm, but not too muggy and it was a great sight to have fans back inside grounds, including a good contingent from Sholing. There were some new faces in the Boatmen line-up, with Conor Whiteley up front, Mitch Byrne at centre back (previously with AFC Totton & Team Solent) and Jake Cope on the bench (AFC Bournemouth & Poole Town). Byron, Dan & Marv were unavailable and Ryan Gosney watched on from the sidelines as he builds up fitness following a knee operation.

The Southern League Premier side seized the initiative early doors, forcing Luke Deacon into a terrific save, but on 7 minutes, Wimborne took the lead. Boatmen were unable to clear the lines, with the ball pinging around the box before Addwell swept in from 15 yards out. Sholing's first chance saw Green played into space on the right, but his attempted chip was comfortably claimed. Brad Targett was given a chance to show his pace in a race with the out-rushing keeper, which neither of them won as they clattered into each other, with Alex Cull coming off worse and having to be substituted with a cut to his leg (hopefully not serious).

Sholing were growing into the game and on 33 minutes, sparked a frantic 5 minutes of 3 goals! Firstly, CONOR WHITELEY found the bottom corner with a daisy-cutter from outside the area. Straight from the restart, the speedy Addwell put Wimborne back in the lead, bursting in from the right flank & finishing across Deacon, who got something on it, but not enough to stop it finding the far corner. The goals kept on coming as 2 minutes later, a loose pass across their own area by Wimborne was seized upon by BRAD TARGETT, to take a touch & open himself up to fire past the keeper from just inside the box to take us in even at the break. HT 2-2

Boatmen were playing the ball around nicely and soon created a good chance as Brad Targett spotted Robin Nicholls in space, he advanced and let fly, but the keeper saved. There was another lovely sweeping move from back to front down the right wing, but the Wimborne defence closed it down as we worked the ball into the area.

Then on 58 minutes a truly special goal was scored by STU GREEN. Luke Deacon passed the ball out to Mitch Byrne who lifted a long through ball over the Wimborne defence into the path of Stu Green who showed incredible technique to hit it full on the volley from 18 yards, giving the keeper no chance as it screamed into the net. A real worldy!

Video Courtesy of TBTV Sport:

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The goal seemed to knock Wimborne out of their stride a bit, with Sholing looking comfortable at the back and the subs who came on, all fitting in nicely into the shape and contributing. Nathan Gray & Rafael Ramos went up top, Martin Buckland into midfield & Yumo Wan at full back. The home side went close with a snap shot that fizzed just wide of the upright, but Sholing continued to look dangerous too. Rafael Ramos took the ball down well, turned and let off a well struck shot that went just wide. He then helped set up a late penalty when another shot rebounded off the keeper, with Brad Targett getting a toe to it first before being taken down by the goalie. Claudio Herbert stepped up, but his pen was saved, however, the referee ordered a retake. Claudio's second effort was to the other side of the goal, but clipped the top of the bar! FT 2-3

All in all, a very entertaining and competitive game. Thank you to Wimborne for hosting and hospitality.

Next Game : Hamble Club v Sholing - Saturday 3pm

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Blackfield & Langley 2-5 Sholing

Scorers : Ruben 35, Makhloufi 87 / Stu Green 9 (pen), Brad Targett 20, Dan Mason 30, Jake Cope 78, Rafa Ramos 90

Date: Saturday 24 July 2021, 3pm – Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: Gang Warily

Sholing: Luke Deacon, Yumo Wan, Marv McLean, Mitch Byrne, Byron Mason [c], Robin Nicholls, Charlie Wagstaffe, Joe Adams, Stu Green, Brad Targett, Dan Mason. Subs used : Nathan Gray, Rafa Ramos, Jake Cope, Jo Smith, Martin Buckland, Jack Barnes, Tom Gruzewski, Michael Kurn

Attendance: Approx 70

Boatmen won a high scoring entertaining friendly at Blackfield, creating a lot of chances with a mixed team of the young and the experienced.

There was the very welcome sight of Byron Mason, Marv McLean & Dan Mason all pulling on the red & white shirt for the first time in pre-season. However, the challenges of the current times, did mean that Dan Miller, Ryan Cluett, Claudio Herbert & Conor Whiteley were unavailable, as was Dave Diaper. Marc Diaper took charge, assisted by Barry Mason.

Took only 2 minutes for Sholing to threaten the Blackfield goal, as Mitch Byrne headed a corner against the crossbar. A few minutes later and Targett released Green, but he didn't get the connection he wanted with his shot and the keeper saved. Some nice passing opened up the hosts on 9 minutes, allowing Yumo Wan space to run into the right side of the area where he was tripped for a penalty. STU GREEN fired low into the left corner for his 3 pre-season goal in as many games.

Sholing continued to dominate and repeatedly get in behind Blackfield, but it was some sharp play by BRAD TARGETT on 20 mins to rob a defender and his shot across the keeper found the net via the inside of the far post. Dan Mason thought he'd scored when he was picked out by Greener's cross and chested the ball from close range towards to bottom corner, but the Blackfield keeper pulled off a remarkable save. He couldn't deny DAN MASON two minutes later, with D-Dan showing great skill to bring an awkward ball down and in one motion finish with aplomb.

Blackfield had been guilty of overplaying when in good positions, but on 35 mins they grabbed a goal back as they worked in from the left wing to set up Ruben to sweep into the net. Boatmen could have scored more goals before half time, Dan Mason again denied by a good save and a couple of headers were put wide. HT 1-3

The sun wasn't as baking as it had been earlier in the week, but it was still a hot afternoon as the tempo slowed in the second half, although the young Boatmen were consciously looking to keep possession and control the game. Chances were still being created and there was clever link up between Yumo Wan & Stu Green on the edge of the area, allowing Stu to get in an angled shot that was well saved.

On 78 minutes, Sholing had their fourth goal as 16 year old right back Tom Gruzewski won the ball wide on the right and put over a great cross where trialist, JAKE COPE, got something on the ball to send it spinning up into the top corner. Blackfield scored again on 87 minutes when a dinked cross was nodded in at the far post by Makhloufi.

The scoring wasn't over as in the final minute, RAFA RAMOS chased a long ball, shrugging off a defender and winning the race with the outrushing keeper to poke the ball past him and roll it into the empty net. FT 2-5

Thank you to Blackfield & Langley for hosting and good luck for the season. Thanks also to the Sholing fans who made the trip.

Next Game : Basingstoke Town v Sholing - Tuesday 7:45pm

Photos & Match Highlights courtesy of HR Media (Harrison Read)

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Hamble Club 2-1 Sholing

Scorers : Sam Woodward 32 & 45 / Stu Green 53

Date: Saturday 17 July 2021, 3pm – Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: The Abbey

Sholing: Luke Deacon, Yumo Wan, Jo Smith, Mitch Byrne, Dan Miller [c], Martin Buckland, Charlie Wagstaffe, Jack Barnes, Claudio Herbert, Stu Green, Conor Whiteley. Rolling Subs used : Nathan Gray, Rafael Ramos, Joe Adams

Attendance: Approx 100

Referee: Derek Pratt

Sholing were defeated in our second pre-season game at a sunbaked Hamble Club as mistakes dominated proceedings in a slow paced game.

Boatmen had 7 first team players unavailable, with the hosts also light on numbers, it was a chance for a few youngsters to get a full game and minutes in the legs. With temperatures in the high 20s, the referee sensibly allowed rolling subs and drinks breaks. Most spectators took advantage of the shade on the stand side of the pitch.

The first half hour was uneventful until Hamble took the lead on 31 minutes. Sholing had got away with some sloppy play around the edge of their box, but this time we were punished when Hamble won the ball 20 yards out to feed Woodward, who went to the right of the goal, but did well to shoot across Deacon and in off the far post.

This woke the Boatmen up a bit and we created a couple of chances. A Conor Whiteley freekick bounced off the keeper, where Green took it round him and squared across the face of the goal, but Mitch Byrne was unable to make contact at the far post. A nice slotted pass by Claudio to Stu Green saw him race into the box and pull it back for the arriving Charlie Wagstaffe, but his sidefoot effort went wide.

The Monks had gone close a couple of times before they doubled their lead in added time with another well taken goal, but gifted to them by Sholing. More dithering at the back presented Woodward with the ball and he was able to dig out a clever chip over the stranded Deacon and it bounced into the net. HT 2-0

A clearly unhappy Diapes sent his team out demanding a much better second half and it seemed to be more positive when Sholing got a goal back on 53 mins. It was Hamble's turn to lay it on a plate, when a miscontrol allowed STU GREEN in behind and he drew the keeper before slotting into the far corner with a left foot shot. It lifted Sholing and Greener had another good chance soon after. A nicely floated pass over the defence by Claudio found him unmarked, but his header looped over.

With the heat and stoppages for the rolling subs playing their part, the rest of the game never really had any flow from either side, but a positive for Sholing was Joe Adams making his debut, with the teenager looking composed and skilful in midfield. Rafa Ramos looked like Sholing's best option for grabbing an equaliser, he had a couple of shots blocked, before having a cross-cum-shot tipped over the bar by the back peddling keeper. Rafa also had a 22 yard freekick whistle wide, before the last action saw Dan Miller climb highest for a corner, but put his header over. FT 2-1

Thank you to Hamble Club for hosting and good luck for the season.

Next Game : Bashley v Sholing - Tuesday 7:45pm

Photos courtesy of Daniel Haswell

Basingstoke Town 3-2 Sholing

Scorers : Conor Lynch 25, George Reid 77 & 84 / Dan Mason 26, Dan Miller 34

Date: Tuesday 27 July 2021, 7:45pm – Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: Hampshire FA Winklebury Complex

Sholing: Luke Deacon, Ryan Cluett, Marv McLean, Byron Mason [c], Dan Miller, Robin Nicholls, Charlie Wagstaffe, Jake Cope, Stu Green, Brad Targett, Dan Mason. Subs used : Nathan Gray, Rafa Ramos, Joe Adams, Jo Smith, Martin Buckland, Conor Whiteley, Claudio Herbert, Mitch Byrne

Attendance: Approx 150

Referee : Tom Ellsmore Assistants : Adam Merchant & Nic Hucker

A defeat against a strong looking Basingstoke side, but that doesn't tell the whole story of a very entertaining pre-season friendly. Boatmen came from behind to dominate an action packed, high tempo first half and lead into the break. With nearly the entire Sholing line-up changed during the second half, the home side grabbed two quality late goals to edge the game.

For the first time this pre-season, Dave Diaper had a full squad to select from. The only player missing out was Ryan Gosney, with the 3G surface one of the considerations for someone who is recovering from knee surgery. Diapes gave a start to trialist Jake Cope, who scored at Blackfield at the weekend.

Game took place at Hampshire FA's HQ at Winklebury, which has been modified with some new stands behind each goal & a fresh 3G surface to allow Basingstoke to play in their home town for the foreseeable future. The club still holds out hope of returning one day to the Camrose Stadium, although it seems a very complicated situation that may drag on for some time. First shot came via Jake Cope cutting in from the left, but his speculative shot was always curling wide. It was an end-to-end start, but Basingstoke started to dominate and on 18 minutes, Luke Deacon was called into making the first of three good saves in quick succession as he did well to get down & hold a well struck shot. Luke's second stop was from a fierce left sided shot that he beat away and he was in action again from the subsequent corner.

So, on 25 minutes, was little surprise when Basingstoke took the lead, with a sweeping move down their left wing saw new signing & former Thatcham captain, Conor Lynch set up to find the net from the middle of the area. However, straight from the restart, the Boatmen equalised! Byron's long pass into the left channel caused hesitation between the right back & keeper, with the ball bouncing off one of them, straight to DAN MASON 20 yards out to carefully drill the ball low into the unguarded net.

It was now Sholing's turn to dominate and create some good chances. Brad Targett flicked a header into the path of Stu Green, who pulled his shot just wide. Then Charlie Wagstaffe showed good strength in the middle of the park to win the ball and then vision to put Dan Mason in on the left, but D-Dan's angled shot was well saved. Dan went close again on 32 mins, with Byron crossing into the box for his brother to nod narrowly wide. Sholing made their pressure pay on 34 minutes. A freekick to the right of the penalty area was swung perfectly into the box where it was met with a thumping header into the top corner by DAN MILLER, breaking his 2 year scoring duck. Sholing continued to knock the ball around at pace and Stu Green was put clean through, but as he was bearing in on goal, the ball flicked off his toe and on this surface, that saw it run away from him. HT 1-2

The restart saw a couple of changes by the home side and Diapes did likewise, bringing on Joe Adams & Conor Whiteley. He was forced into more changes due to knocks to Wagstaffe, Cluett & Green, but it was always the intention to give everyone a run out. The second half was a slower tempo to the first as both sides adjusted to the changes. Joe Adams once again looked composed on the ball, pinging some nice passes out to the wing.

Brad Targett was freed down the right channel on 62 mins and he fired across goal, beating the keeper, but also the far upright with Sholing players arriving too late to knock the ball in. Some trickery by Conor Whiteley on 74 minutes saw him win a freekick inside the D. His 20 yard effort beat the wall and fizzed inches wide of the post. Basingstoke had looked better the longer the half went on and they drew level on 78 minutes when a defence splitting pass by Wilson set George Reid clear to place a measured finish past Deacon.

Boatmen should have immediately retaken the lead when Brad Targett raced clean through, but with perhaps too much time to think what to do, he went for power and blazed wide. Luke Deacon was called into another full length dive to deny Basingstoke, but on 84 mins he could do nothing to stop George Reid grabbing the winner, finishing off another quick attack by the home side with a thumping shot. Basingtoke then thumped the upright with a long range effort as the ref brought the entertaining game to an end. One that overall, Sholing looked good for long periods and as ever with pre-season, it's the time to get minutes in the legs and try a few things. FT 3-2. Finally, we can look forward to a home game in front of our fans this Friday (it's been 280 days since the last one!).

Can imagine Basingstoke doing well in their new league this season, thanks to them for hosting.

Next Game : Sholing v United Services Portsmouth - Friday 7:15pm

Photos courtesy of HR Media (swipe to view pics)