Sholing1 0Cowes

Scorers : Dan Miller 87

Date: Wednesday 25th April 2018 8pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier Division

Venue: Universal Stadium

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson (Alex Sawyer 59), Marvin Mclean [c], Pete Castle (Owen Roundell 39), Dan Miller, Kev Brewster, Marlon Mason, Frazer Mclean (Jake Hoole 45), Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Jamie Bulpitt.  Subs not used: Jack Smith & Owen Royl

Yellow Cards: TJ Cuthbertson, Marlon Mason

Cowes Sports: Ed Hatt, James Wykes, Gareth Bricknell, Charlie Allen, Jez Conway, James Wright, John McKie [c], Jack Broomfield, Connor Furmidge, Dan Verstraeten, Leigh Mackenzie.  Subs: Dan Pearson, Callum Watkins, Max Coshell, Lewis Blackmore, Dave Thurman

Yellow Card: ?

Attendance:  69

Referee: Jacob Wright  Assistant Referees: Dominic Cunliffe & James Furlong

Man of the Match: Dan Miller

Sholing brought their campaign to an end with another victory, with Dan Miller heading in a late winner to score the club's 100th League goal of the season.  On a heavy pitch, with tired legs, unsurprisingly it wasn't Sholing anywhere near their best, although Cowes played very well and can feel hard done by not to have come away with something.

Much more memorable were the presentations made before kick off.  Firstly, Marv McLean picked up an award to mark his 600th appearance for the club.  Fantastic achievement for the ever popular Marv, who was also voted the Players Player of the Season.   Next up, Ray Tyrrell received some bubbly & gift vouchers as a thank you for his many years of service to the club behind the scenes. Ray is stepping down as a volunteer and will be missed for all he does in the bar, with the soccer schools, youth teams and general ground maintenance.

Also picking up an award were : Dan Miller (Supporters Player of the season), Owen Royl (Young Player of the Season), Ryan Gosney (Manager's player of the season), Byron Mason (500 appearances) & Dan Mason (300 appearances)

Team News: Marv was given the Captain's armband as recognition of his landmark appearance. At the other end of the appearance scale, Frazer McLean was making his 2nd start for Sholing.

Thanks to the hard work of several volunteers (Spud, Matt, Terry to name but a few) to clear excess water off the pitch from the heavy showers in the afternoon, the game was able to go ahead.

The visitors started the brighter, with McKie going on a long run through the middle of the boggy pitch, but couldn't find the finish.  Gosney also had to get down to push a skidding shot round the post.  Wasn't until 20 mins that the Boatmen had their first effort on goal when a stinging shot by Marlon Mason looked goalbound until a little deflection off a defender took it just over the bar.  Dan Mason looped a header onto the top of the bar, but there wasn't much else of note in a low-key first 45.  HT 0-0

It was much the same for the second half, although Sholing upped the pressure more, but they were kept at bay from creating efforts on goal by a hardworking and well organised Cowes side.  They caught Boatmen offside numerous times and were throwing themselves in the way of any openings in and around the box.  The best effort came the way of Lee Wort, who collected the ball in the area, made space, but with lots of options open to him, he hit a tame effort straight at the keeper.  

Sholing's corner and set piece delivery were unusually poor with crosses either not avoiding first man or going too long.  It looked as though the visitors were to be rewarded with a point, but with 3 minutes to go, Sholing snatched the winner.  This time, the delivery was spot on, as Alex Sawyer's left wing corner reached DAN MILLER, who didn't need all his height to get to the ball first, just his strength to hold off two defenders as his stooping header found the net.  Was fitting our 100th league goal of the season came from a corner, as it made an incredible 31 goals scored via corner kicks this campaign.   FT 1-0

Many thanks to our supporters for their backing home and away this season. Always appreciated.  Also, thanks to the club's volunteers for their work behind the scenes, especially in this hectic end to the season, which puts huge demands on people. Thanks also to the club's Sponsors, who are so vital in keeping us going. Up the Boatmen!

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)

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