Scorers : Nick Watts 38, Alex Sawyer 45, Barry Mason 86
Date : Tuesday 10th February 2015 - 7:45pm kick off - Russell Cotes Cup 2nd Round
Sholing : Matt Brown, TJ Cuthbertson, Liam Golding, Pete Castle, Dan Miller, Alex Sawyer, Nick Watts, Jack Smith, Dan Mason (Kev Brewster 65), Barry Mason [c], Tobi Adekunle. Subs Not Used : Marv McLean, Mike Byrne, Jess Walklin, Rory Anderson
Yellow Card : Nick Watts 26
Folland Sports : Ryan Gosney (Karl-Matthias Steinborn-Busse 70), Ollie Warren (Matt Casey 78), Matt Graham, James Roden, Matt Burt, Callum Brockway, Ashley Jarvis, Jamie Barron [c], Richard Gregory, Ryan Fuller, Jake Long. Subs Not Used : Will Harris, Matt Hubbard
Yellow Card : Matt Burt 24
Attendance : 129
Man of the Match : Jack Smith
Referee : Peter Lavelle. Assistants: Peter Lowe & Amy Robinson
Sholing cruised to a comfortable win over local rivals, Folland Sports, to progress into the Quarter Final of the Russell Cotes Cup.
Team News: Two changes from Saturday's line-up, with Pete Castle replacing Mike Byrne and Tobi Adekunle replacing Marv McLean.
After two postponements at the Planemakers ground, Hampshire FA switched the game to the Silverlake as this 2nd round tie was lagging badly behind the rest of the competition, with some teams already in the Semi-Final. Unsurprising for two clubs less than two miles apart, there were players on both sides who had played for both teams.
The game got underway in front of a healthy crowd (apart from those coughing) and started in typical derby fashion at a high tempo, no quarter given in the tackle and some rushed passing. It was the visitors who had the first clear chance on goal, but an effort at the far post was skewed wide. Sholing's first decent chance fell to Tobi Adekunle, arriving at pace into the box, he volleyed a cross over the bar. The game was scrappy, not helped by some stoppages for treatment for the Follands keeper, plus the referee was increasingly getting involved.
On 30 minutes, the Ref booked Nick Watts when he blocked an attempted clearance by the keeper. It wasn't one of those "kick the ball out of his hands" fouls, the keeper was trying to clear the ball quickly after an attack broke down, didn't have the ball under control and Wattsie's block took place a yard outside the area. A very harsh yellow card. This certainly wound the Sholing No7 up and he skipped past a few challenges before firing a shot that the keeper saved with his legs. Sholing were now dominant and got their reward on 38 minutes when NICK WATTS was able to almost amble (no pun intended) to the edge of the Follands area and his low, not particularly powerful shot, went past the unmoving keeper and nestled inside the far post.
On the stroke of half time, Sholing doubled their advantage and it was another goal the Follands keeper would be embarrassed about. A ball over the top found Dan Mason running in on goal, he took his shot early, which the keeper fumbled up into the air and into the path of ALEX SAWYER who took a touch and under pressure from a defender, knocked into the empty net. HT 2-0
After a 20 minute half time break (!?) the game got restarted, but then it was stop-start stuff for what seemed like an age as neither side could create much. The visitors were caught offside a few times, but Matt Brown was a virtual spectator for much of the second half. Dan Mason picked up a knock and as the first team squad's only out & out striker, wasn't risked and came straight off to be replaced by Kevin Brewster. The Follands keeper was clearly still struggling from the injury he picked up in the first half and was eventually replaced on 70 minutes, although it was about 75 minutes before his replacement got onto the pitch.
Thankfully the game ended with some quality football as Sholing got their third goal. A succession of passes through midfield and down the right wing, saw an overlapping TJ Cuthbertson get to the byline and his cross into the 6 yard box was met by BARRY MASON who did really well to stoop & twist to power a header past the keeper, to continue his impressive recent scoring run. FT 3-0
Sholing are at home to Horndean in the Quarter Final on Wednesday 25th February. The winner of that tie, are at home to Bemerton Heath Harlequins in the Semi-Final a week later. With Gosport losing to Blackfield & Langley last night, this leaves Sholing as the highest ranked club left in the competition.
Next Game : Sholing are home to promotion pushing, Evesham United on Saturday (Valentines Day!)