Scorers :  Barry Mason 12, Nick Yeomans 44  /  Danny Thompson 90 + 2 (pen)

Date : Saturday 19th December 2015 - 3pm kick off - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, Kevin Brewster, James Davis, Owen Roundell, Dean Faithfull, Jamie Bulpitt, Barry Mason [c] (Doug Rowe 65), Alex Sawyer, Dan Mason (Pete Castle 84), Nick Yeomans, Jack Smith.  Subs not used: Byron Mason, Lee Webber

Yellow Card : 

Fareham Town : Charlie Searle, Wayne Boud [c], Lewis Brailey (Marley Ridge), Danny Thompson, Jack Naylor, Callum Laycock, Ashley Tattersall, George Davis, Jordan Neal, Bradey Norton, Simon Woods (Benny Read 45)   Subs not used: Chris Dewey

Yellow Card :  George Davis

Attendance : 86

Man of the Match : Jamie Bulpitt

Referee : Craig Green  Assistants: Thomas McGhee & Peter Creagh

SHOLINGS penultimate home game of 2015 saw us overcome Fareham Town with a 2-1 win, allowing us to extend their unbeaten home run to 15 matches with a 2-1 win.

Despite a few early scares the scoreline hardly reflected the Boatmens dominance as the hosts looked comfortable throughout.  Barry Mason headed Sholing into the lead and Nick Yeomans doubled our advantage shortly before half-time. Fareham were able to ensure a nearby finish with Danny Thompson’s late penalty offering Fareham a more than flattering scoreline.

Team News: Dave Diaper was all set to name the same starting 11 that beat Verwood midweek 3-0. However a late change was made when Marvin McLean's hamstring tightened up and was forced to sit out the match so Jack Smith moved up from the bench.

Fareham started the livelier and nearly opened the scoring on 43 secs when Simon Woods put in a telling cross and Jordan Neal saw his glancing header just go wide of Ryan Gosney's left upright. Moments later the same combination contrived an opening but Jordan Neal had his effort scrambled away.

Sholing started to knock the ball around with Jack Smith playing at left back and James Davis in midfield. We were awarded a free kick after 12 minutes, which Kevin Brewster swung in from the left and skipper BARRY MASON ran across the keeper to nod in towards the near post, for his second goal in as many games.

Dan Mason was looking threatening, especially in his build-up play and when he was able to hold the ball up and roll it across the area to the oncoming Kevin Brewster, fans were expecting a carbon copy of the defenders goal against Verwood. Unfortunately for the right-back he was placed under more pressure this time and was only able to scuff his shot tamely out of play. Dan then showed good skill & strength to beat two defenders, but his curling effort was well saved.

Nick Yeomans was also keeping Fareham’s defenders busy. With five minutes left of the first half he was able to steal the ball following careless defending, and was allowed the square the ball to Alex Sawyer. But the midfielder then fired at shot which could have taken Santa’s sleigh out of the sky.

It wasn't long before Yeoman’s hard work paid off though. Barry Mason, drifting in from the right, was given the time and space to try and repeat this thunderous goal against Verwood. This time however he watched on as his shot cannoned off the crossbar. Dan Mason’s follow-up header was then forced away, but only as far as NICK YEOMANS who duly applied the finishing touch. HT 2-0

A shift of personnel at half-time saw James Davis move to left-back with Jamie Bulpitt taking his place on the left-side of midfield, and he was involved with the action immediately. His floated cross into Dan Mason fell at Barry’s feet, but the captains shot was smothered.

Boatmen should have had a penalty on 48 minutes when a Fareham defender attempted to convert Dan Mason's medium sized shirt into an XXL version with a ridiculous shirt-pull, but despite seemingly looking straight at the offence, the ref gave nothing.

Alex Sawyer and Jack Smith both tried long-range efforts, meanwhile Fareham were restricted to similar efforts, the best being George Davis who saw his well struck 25 yard effort well held by Ryan Gosney.

As Barry Mason looked to rally his squad and inspire them to add to their two-goal cushion he took it upon himself to run the full length of the pitch, but his cross didn't match the run and was easily cleared. His brother Dan, was struggling for service at times, but when a Brewster corner fell to him he was unable to direct his header on target.

From the wing, Jamie Bulpitt was instrumental to all of Sholings good work. He skillfully worked his way past two defenders on the the edge of the area but was then unable to get the ball out from under his feet, stabbing his effort just over.

Substitute Doug Rowe could have put the game beyond all doubt. Dan Mason worked hard outside the area, tussling for a number of second balls before eventually poked the ball to Rowe. The striker angled a shot towards the bottom corner, but Charlie Seale managed to get down low to it a push it away.

With the referee checking his watch as the time ticked over 90, Fareham came forward and when Benny Read found space in the channel he was brought down by Dean Faithfull for a penalty. Danny Thompson stepped up and lashed home the spot kick into the top right hand corner. But there was to be no Christmas miracle for Fareham and as usual at home - much like Santa - the men in red & white once again delivered. FT 2-1

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)

• Bit of a stiff jump, Nick Bit of a stiff jump, Nick
• Sawyer with the double teapot Sawyer with the double teapot
• Barry Mason heads in the first goal Barry Mason heads in the first goal
• Lads celebrate Barry's goal Lads celebrate Barry's goal
• Gos star jumps Gos star jumps
• Baz hits a shot against the bar that Yeomans then scores from Baz hits a shot against the bar that Yeomans then scores from
• D-Dan D-Dan
• Micky T handing out chocs to supporters Micky T handing out chocs to supporters
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