Laverstock & Ford Reserves 2-12 Sholing Reserves
Scorers : Nathan Lynch 6, Macaully Smith 3, Marvin Mclean 2, Alex Papadopoulas.
Date : 9 August 2014 - Pre-season Friendly
Team : Mcaulie Stubbs, Taurean Maunders, Lewis Fea , Owen Roundell, Michael Bada, Luyandu Muhwanga, Callum Parker, Macaully Smith, Marvin Mclean, Nathan Lynch, Terry New. Subs all used : Alex Papadopoulas, Jordan Batty, Jake Davis, Koda Burnett, Ryan Dawson
Our reserves travelled to Laverstock with another strong squad although suffered a setback in the warm up when keeper, Rory Anderson, trapped a nerve in his back and couldnt take part in the game being replaced for the whole game by young defender Mcaulie Stubbs who proceeded to do an excellent job.
It was important that we responded well after Wednesday's disappointing defeat at Fareham and was soon evident that goals would arrive as numerous chances were created particularly from the midfield duo of Macaully Stubbs and Callum Parker .
We soon took the lead through Nathan Lynch however sloppy defending allowed Laverstock to equalise almost immediately. This acted as a quick reminder that no opposition can be taken lightly and we quickly maintained the tempo and passing in our game to score at will for the remainder of the half and took an 1-8 half time lead with the pick of the bunch being an excellent goal from Macaully Smith after great link up play with Callum Parker.
We made numerous changes at half time and missed opportunities in the second half although still managed another 4 goals with 1 in reply to finish 2-12 winners. Nathan Lynch finishing with a double hat trick and Macaully Smith with a hat trick.
Despite the scoreline this was a good work out for the boys with our opposition never giving up and an excellent response to Wednesday's first defeat in pre-season. The performance was also helped significantly by Nathan Lynch, Marvin Mclean and Rory Anderson who all soon integrated into the team and were encouraging and helping the younger players all afternoon which was excellent to see and shows Sholing FC in a great light.
We now take an Under 21 team, with a couple of over age players, to Poole Town on Wednesday night which should be a good test for our young team followed by our last pre-season game on Saturday at Hythe and Dibden before we start our campaign on Wednesday August 20th at home to Winchester City.
Report by Mark Stupple