Scorers : Feeney 15, 44 / Crisp 40

Date : Monday 25 August 2014 - 3:00pm kick off - Southern League South & West

AFC Totton : Steve Mowthorpe, Liam Hibberd, Jamie Blackburn, Chris Onoufriou, Rob Flooks, Liam Gilbert, Jamie Bulpitt (Nathan Hurst, 71), Kyle O’Brien (Taylor Edwards, 84), Craig Feeney, Zac Mouland, (Nathaniel Sherborne, 65), Andrew Bridge. Subs: (not used) Ellis White, Conor Thorne.

Sholing : Matt Brown, TJ Cuthbertson, Kane Crisp (Dan Mason, 60), Stuart Mott, Dan Miller, Alex Sawyer, Marvin McLean, Byron Mason, Nathan Lynch, Barry Mason, Nick Watts (Braiden Hamilton, 71). Subs: (not used) Kev Brewster, Danny Cox, Taurean Manders.  

Red Cards:  Lynch 31
Yellow Cards : McLean 33

Ultras Man of the Match : Dan Miller

Referee : W Bull. Assistants: W Thomas & S Currie

Attendance : 315

Sholing made three changes with Lewis Fennemore out injured and Taurean Manders & Braiden Hamilton dropping to the bench. Skipper Byron Mason returned along with centre forward Nathan Lynch, while full back Kane Crisp was given his full debut.  The local derby kicked off in driving rain which didn't relent for the entire match.

AFC Totton started off putting Sholing under pressure and Kane Crisp conceded an early corner which was cleared by skipper Byron Mason. Nick Watts put Marvin McLean clear who found TJ Cuthbertson, but his shot went over the bar. At the other end TJ conceded another corner for Totton but the ball was cleared and then went out for a goal kick. On 10 mins Jamie Bulpitt latched onto another Stags corner but drilled his shot wide of Matt Brown’s upright. The game was following an end to end pattern and on 13 mins Sholing had an opportunity to open the scoring when good work in midfield between TJ & Nick Watts put Byron Mason in on the right who cut in and crossed for Nathan Lynch to score but his close range effort was parried away by Stags keeper Steve Mowthorpe and he followed but fouled the keeper. In the 15th-minute the breakthrough came when Craig Feeney hit his fifth goal of the campaign from 30 yds following good work by Drew Bridge and Jamie Blackburn. Five minutes later goal hero Craig Feeney was cautioned for a foul on full back Kane Crisp. With the terrier-like Liam Gilbert competing for everything in midfield, Totton were make the most of the early play, but Sholing were dangerous on the break and it needed another good intervention by Mowthorpe to turn away Nathan Lynch’s curling shot from Marvin McLean’s cross.

But on 31 minutes the red mist descended for Nathan Lynch as he was given his marching orders by referee Bull for shoving over Liam Gilbert following a tackle. 2 minutes later Sholing lost their composure again when Marvin McLean found himself in Mr Bull’s book for a foul on the touchline. The 10 men of Sholing were allowing midfielder Kyle O’Brien a free role and he was the dynamo for the Stags and set up both Zac Mouland to shot wide followed by Jamie Bulpitt’s shot across goal. Then he became provider again when he skillfully turned and delivered a 37th-minute cross which just missed Feeney’s outstretched boot with Matt Brown nowhere.

On 40 minutes Sholing should their strength albeit with 10 men when they pulled themselves back on terms when again good work between TJ and Nick Watts allowed Bryon Mason to deliver the ball from the right for debutant and former Stag Kane Crisp to crash the ball home off the underside of the bar. Then, as the game went into stoppage time, Liam Gilbert stole possession from Byron Mason and calmly played in Craig Feeney stroking the ball calmly past Brown from 20 yds for his 2nd goal of the game.

HT AFC Totton 2-1 Sholing

The first two minutes of the 2nd half the Stags should have increased their lead first when Liam Gilbert’s free kick found Zac Mouland who headed over the bar. Then goal hero Feeney set up Mouland whose shot was charged down by Matt Brown. On 49 minutes Sholing should have been on level terms when a good move between Byron, Barry and Nick Watts found Marvin McLean who got the ball tangled in his feet when free in the box. Despite being down to 10 men Sholing were taking the game to the Stags and Stuart Mott sent a back post header narrowly off target. Barry Mason had a similar opportunity from Alex Sawyer’s corner but headed weakly. At the other end the back four were all working well to keep the Stags at bay. TJ redeemed himself when he gave away a corner and then a short worked corner was cleared by him to relieve the danger. Dan Miller was winning most of the high balls pumped forward by Totton. However Zac Mouland eluded the defence but headed over from close range.

On 59 mins Sholing’s goalscorer Kane Crisp left the field to warm applause for his efforts and was replaced by Dan Mason. Sholing reverted to a back three of Miller Mott & Cuthbertson and 4 midfield and Barry slotting in between them and Dan upfront. Matt Brown had to be alert when Andrew Bridge shot from 30 yds. Totton replaced Zac Mouland with Nathanial Sherborne. Craig Feeney interchanged with Andrew Bridge to set up Sherborne whose shot went over the bar. On 70 minutes Nick Watts (who hadn’t stopped running all game) was replaced by Braiden Hamilton who went up front with Dan Mason to show Sholing’s positive attitude with the 10 men.

Sholing continued to look for an equaliser Braiden and Marvin worked well to win another corner, Barry Mason found the head of Stuart Mott who headed over. With 12 mins remaining Byron evaded four challenges over 25 yds and saw his shot saved by Steve Mowthorpe. Then Marvin McLean’s run found Braiden Hamilton who miskicked the ball. With the game going into the last 10 mins the Sholing defensive trio was keeping the Stags attack frustrated. Stuart Mott cleared for a corner and Nathan Hurst headed over the bar. With four minutes remaining Craig Feeney looking for his hattrick swiveled and shot just wide of the upright. Then in stoppage time Sherborne put Feeney in but a timely Stuart Mott tackle denied him again.

FT AFC Totton 2-1 Sholing

Totton manager Steve Riley said: “Last season we got beat 4-0 in the FA Cup and did ourselves no justice against a Sholing side that had that bit of know-how. “Sholing did really well with ten men, but the sending-off was key. It can’t have helped them to play 60 minutes with ten men – especially after a game on Saturday. “We could have gone 3-1 or 4-1 up if our finishing had been more clinical, but I was pleased with how we managed the game and discipline was important for us. I told the lads not to get drawn into anything.”

Boatmen’s co-boss Mick Marsh said: “You can’t play with ten men at this level for 60 minutes against a team in the top-five, but we did extremely well to stay in the game. “We rode our luck a bit, but we also had a couple of chances to nick a point. “I can’t fault the character and workrate and I didn’t think Totton overran us in any way, shape or form.”  

Dave Fear said after the match : "Very impressed with the gutsy 10 man performance and I really feel for the lads not getting at least the draw they deserved"

Report by Greg Dickson