Scorers : Oliver Goddard 32, Jemal Wiseman 84 / Pete Castle 8
Date : Saturday 12th March 2016 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier
Team Solent : Dion GIbbs, Glodi Nakanda, Myles Keizer-Burrows, Patrick Nolan, Oliver Goddard, Jim Orvis, Sam Byles, Jemal Wiseman, Martin Johnson (Lewis Pitts 88), Jesse Waller-Lassen, Matt Sheedy. Subs not used: Steven Black, James Taylor, Ellis White, James Campbell
Yellow Card :
Sholing : Ryan Gosney, Kevin Brewster, Marvin McLean, Pete Castle (Owen Roundell 80), Dean Faithfull, Jamie Bulpitt, Barry Mason, Jack Smith (Nick Yeomans 46), Dan Mason, Byron Mason [c], Jake Hoole (Liam Attrill 69). Subs not used: Jordan Brooks
Yellow Card : Jack Smith, Marv McLean, Jamie Bulpitt, Dan Mason
Attendance : 71
Man of the Match : Marv McLean
Referee : Kwame Hinson Assistants: Thomas McGhee & Robert Linter
SHOLING missed the chance to close in on the top 4 after a disappointing defeat at Team Solent. The Boatmen opened the scoring, with Pete Castle capitalising from a corner, but Oliver Goddard’s header restored parity for the University side and a late goal from Jamal Wiseman meant that Diapes' men left Test Park empty handed.
Team News: Dan Miller was unavailable, so Dean Faithfull partnered Pete Castle at the back. Marv continued at left back, with Jack Smith bought into midfield at the expense of Nick Yeomans up front. Alex Sawyer watched on from the sidelines, hopefully soon to return to the squad.
It made a nice change not to have been constantly checking the weather forecast in the lead up to the game. So, Spring was in the air at Solent’s home ground, and there was a spring in the step of the Sholing side unbeaten in three, however it was the hosts that made the brighter start with Jesse Waller-Lassen testing Ryan Gosney with a free-kick in the second minute. Waller-Lassen - who recently underwent trials with Yeovil - was joined by his strike partner Martin Johnson whose chest-control turn and shot also saw Gosney scrambling.
Sholing - who hadn't conceded for 279 minutes before kick-off - were fortunate not to be behind after six minutes. The threatening Waller-Lassen was allowed space on the right flank and his precise delivery was met by an unmarked Johnson. A flat-footed defence could only watch as the bullet header cannoned back off of the left upright.
Moments later the visitors had the lead. After their first promising attack, Kevin Brewster was given the chance to deliver from a corner. His in-swinging ball found PETE CASTLE, but the defender - celebrating his 29th birthday today - smashed his header against the crossbar. He was quickest to the rebound though, and thumped the loose ball into the roof of the net.
But Team Solent came back, Matt Sheedy sent a volley arrowing past the post and Waller-Lassen managed to dribble into enough space to work a shot. However Sholing kept up their resolute defensive record, pressing quickly against opposition who moved the ball with pace.
It took 32 minutes for the Boatmens back line to be breached. A corner was cleared but the University side were able to shift the ball to Waller-Lassen. His sharp delivery was met by an unmarked Oliver Goddard, who made no mistake with his header from 8 yards.
Sholing ended the half with chances, firstly Byron Mason was able to drag the ball around the onrushing, and often erratic goalkeeper, Dion Gibbs, however his goal bound side footed effort was cleared from danger by Glodi Nakanda.
Jake Hoole also worried Gibbs with an improvised outside of the boot shot. The wingers 30-yard strike looped over the defenders but also narrowly over the bar. HT 1-1
A half-time change saw Nick Yeomans brought into the fray, replacing Jack Smith who had been booked in the first half. In the first five minutes of the the second half, Marv McLean lunged into a impressive block on Martin Johnson and the ball was hacked to safety when Solent threatened. However, when Sholing looked to press home their pressure, Barry Mason could only send his cross-cum-shot over the bar.
As the half progressed Solent took more control, enjoying longer spells of possession and retaining the ball comfortably. They could have taken the lead when Waller-Lassen jinked into space only to see his curled effort blocked by a last ditch tackle by Kevin Brewster.
The Referee continued to book & lecture Sholing players for what appeared, very little, as the home side were quick to enthusiastically appeal after every little contact. Waller-Lassen, so often the danger man, flashed a shot at Gosney who could only parry back into the six yard box. Luckily the ‘keepers blushes were spared as there was nobody to tap the ball home.
With ten minutes to go, an uncharacteristic Sholing error almost gifted Solent the points. The ball was allowed to bounce, allowing Johnson to steal in behind however his shot skewed across goal.
But with five minutes remaining, Jemal Wiseman had the time and composure to bring a clearance down on his chest, and lashed a 20-yard well hit shot that Gosney, diving full length, got his hands to, but couldn't prevent the ball finding the net.
Although the Boatmen strived for an equaliser - including Dean Faithfull sending his unmarked header into the grateful arms of Gibbs - Wisemans goal proved to be decisive. FT 2-1
Report by Ollie Harvey
View from the stands: After a good run of performances, was disappointing to have not kept that going against an improving and very up for it, Team Solent side. The home team, on the balance of play and possession probably did deserve all three points, but not for the first time this season, Sholing came away thinking we should have ground out a result.
Next home game is on Wednesday 16th against Bournemouth Poppies, 7:45pm
