Scorers : Dean Faithfull 5, Dan Mason 33

Date : Saturday 30th April 2016 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Fawley : Billy Coleman, Peter Keating, Matt Hawkins, Elliot Earl [c], Alfie Cole, Chris Lucas, Dan Semmens, Roy Johnson (George Pooley 69), Kieran Roche, Callum Tanner, Ben Bolton.  Subs not used: Nathan Gray, Callum Chugg, Darren Sayer, Dease Kerrison

Yellow Card : 

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, Owen Roundell (Liam Attrill 90), Marv McLean, Pete Castle, Dean Faithfull, Kevin Brewster (Nick Yeomans 58), Barry Mason (Jake Hoole 52), Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Jamie Bulpitt.  Subs not used: Jack Attrill, Jordan Brooks

Yellow Card :

Attendance : 88 (Approx 40 Sholing fans)

Man of the Match : Pete Castle

Referee : Alex James  Assistants: Huw Evans & Justyn Leonard

SHOLING ended the season with a comfortable win over Fawley, but face an anxious wait to discover where they will finish in the Wessex League table.

Dean Faithfull bundled in an early goal, and Dan Mason's cool finish put his side in control of the game, and of second position. However a late Blackfield & Langley winner, over Whitchurch mean that the Boatmen cannot be assured of the runner up spot until Thursday.

The Watersiders will face Fareham Town, but Sholing can do no more to secure their place, with todays win making it eight wins in a row - and 30 points from the last 33 available - matching their previous streak between October and November.

The visitors hadn't conceded a goal in their previous three outings, and when Ben Bolton fired wildly over, it looked like it may be four.

They soon had the ball in the net at the other end through, with DEAN FAITHFULL reading a flick-on to tap the ball goal wards. The ball took a small deflection on the way through, which carried the ball past the helpless Billy Coleman.

A Callum Tanner effort almost crept in, after Faithfull and Ryan Gosney appeared to leave the ball for one another. Both were relieved as the ball trickled narrowly past the post.

Dan Mason - knowing that this was his final chance to stake his claim for the golden boot - looked lively, and after bringing the ball down on his chest, flicked an acrobatic effort over. Within two minutes he had once again pounced on miscommunication between the Fawley backline, but this time his squared pass to Jamie Bupitt was cleared off the line.

With Fawley completely isolated in 19th position in the league, they had very little to play for. However right-back Peter Keating showed good feet in a surging run into the box. But in gathering the defenders effort, Gosney was able to spark a Sholing counter attack which resulted in a Brewster free-kick testing Coleman into flapping the ball over his crossbar.

Brewster - playing in a slightly unfamiliar midfield role - then set up DAN MASON, for his 39th goal of the season. After collecting Lee Worts neat pass, Brewster then clipped a pass into the striker whose neat touch and calm finish put the Boatmen in control of the half.

Despite the Boatmens attacking threat, including Marv McLeans buccaneering runs from left back, Fawley were able to find space. When Kieran Roche was sent through Gosney was alert to rush out and clear the danger.

And shortly before half-time, the keeper pulled off a fantastic save. A deep free-kick was floated towards the far post, and was met at point black range by Ben Bolton. However the winger could only watch as Sholing’s number one got down to parry the ball away.

Lee Worts link up play was one of the bright sparks of Sholings first 45 minutes, but after expertly turning his marker, he finally decided to go alone but fired an angled effort well over. HT 0-2

With the result almost in the bag the second half failed to produce much quality. The introduction of Jake Hoole and Nick Yeomans summed up the progression of the Boatmens youth set-up this season, but neither side created any clear cut chances.

Dan Mason was able to steal in shortly after the hour mark, rushing between defender and ‘keeper the clip the ball goal bound for an incredible 40th goal of the season. However the ball ricocheted off the post and was gathered by a grateful Coleman. At the other end substitute George Pooley angled an effort, and Dan Semmens smashed the follow-up out of the ground.

As Dan Mason continued to search for the brace he needed to reach 40, he harried and rushed the Fawley defence forcing them into early clearances. Meanwhile Diapes side kept the ball in an exhibition like fashion throughout the closing stages.

Although Dan Mason finished the game with one, in the process he once again moved above Sam Wilson - who failed to score in Salisbury’s 4-1 defeat at Portchester. But with the league leaders having two games in hand, he must wait to see if he can bring the golden boot back to the Silverlake.

As for his side, they too face an anxious wait to see if they can clinch second place and cap another excellent season for Sholing Football Club. FT 0-2

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)

• Dean Faithfull opens the scoring Dean Faithfull opens the scoring
• Congratulations all round Congratulations all round
• Worty Worty
• Dan Mason scores goal 39 Dan Mason scores goal 39
• Fawley's surprisingly short keeper watches on Fawley's surprisingly short keeper watches on
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