Sholing0 0Hamworthy

Scorers : 

Date: Saturday 8th September 2018 - 3pm - Emirates FA Cup First Qualifying Round

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Venue: Universal Stadium

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marvin Mclean, Owen Roundell, Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt, Alex Sawyer (Owen Royl 85), Bryon Mason {C}, Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Jake Hoole (Bradley Targett 69)

Unused Subs: Kevin Brewster, Billy Connor, Ryan Mackney, Jack Knutsen & Nick O’Donnell

Yellow Cards: None

Hamworthy United: Tom Rees, Nathanail Peprah-Annan, Declan Randell, Sean Wright, Nathan Walker{C}, Chris Senior, Jamie Filkins, Jamie Gleeson, River Smith (Eddie Hodge 69), Eder Batista (Ollie Davies 89), Ryan Watkins

Unused Subs: Adam Costello, James Tregaskes, Pepe Smith, James Rowe & Nick Patrick

Yellow Cards: Nathanail Peprah-Annan Declan Randell

Attendance: 230

Referee: Iain Parsons   Assistants: Gareth Dunn & John Foster

Sholing's first home game of the season ended in stalemate, which is a little ironic as they previously had scored 26 goals in 8 away games.  However, today the Boatmen came up against the strongest defence they have faced thus far this season, they still created decent chances, but for once, just lacked a little bit of sharpness around the box.

Team News : There was a welcome return for Ryan Gosney between the sticks, but Pete Castle missed out through suspension, so Owen Roundell partnered Dan Miller in defence.  Lee Wort made his 400th appearance for the club. Dave & Marc Diaper were at a family event, so Iain Calder took charge.

Before the game began a presentation was made to celebrate the 300th appearance for the club by Alex Sawyer. There was also a minute’s silence to pay tribute to two stalwarts of grassroots football John Ward & Ian Drinkwater who died earlier this week, a moment that was impeccably observed by both sets of fans around the stadium.

After a quiet start in which neither side wanted to make a mistake, the first chance of the game came to Sholing when Lee Wort, with his back to goal, hooked the ball over his shoulder, but just over the bar in the 7th minute. This was followed up in the 12th minute when Lee Wort robbed the ball off a Hamworthy defender before setting up Alex Sawyer at the edge of the area, but he forced away keeper Tom Rees into a smart save low to his right & Hoole couldn't force in the rebound.

In between these two Sholing chances, Hamworthy had their best chance of the first half in the 10th minute when their striker River Smith was put through over the top, forcing Ryan Gosney into a good save with Owen Roundell clearing the ball near the line. Dan Miller also made an excellent last ditch tackle to deny a break-away. However, this were Hamworthy’s only real chances as they opted to say solid at the back and try to hit the home side on the break.

This meant that Sholing dominated from around the 15th minute, but could not create any clear-cut chances to reflect this in the score line. Boatmen forced several corners, which saw a lot of contact in the box between both sets of players, with Dan Miller especially getting a lot of attention and seemed to be hauled down a couple of times, but not spotted by the Referee. HT: 0-0

Sholing followed up with the first half dominance after the interval and started the first five minutes on the front foot. In the 47th minute Dan Mason used his pace to beat two defenders, creating space for an angled shot that was comfortably saved by away keeper Tom Rees.

The game then hit a slight stalemate in which Sholing tried to break through the solid away defence, whilst the majority of Hamworthy’s attacking play was coming through long balls over the top of the defence but either a Sholing defender, or Gosney being a sweeper-keeper, were there to cover.  Boatmen freshened things up by bringing on Brad Targett and the youngster instantly showed good control and pace to leave the right back in his wake, but his cross evaded a red & white shirt. Byron Mason was unfortunate when a cross came off his shoulder and wide, when well placed for a header on goal.

Sholing piled forward in the last 10 minutes in order to find a late winner, which led to a succession of chances for the home side. Firstly Dan Mason cut inside and turned his defender in the 80th minute, forcing the away goalkeeper into a fine fingertip save to push the shot over the bar. Minutes later Owen Roundell had a free header at the far post go into the side setting from a cross by TJ Cuthbertson down the right. The final main chance for the home side came when Jamie Bulpitt saw a 20 yard rasping shot curl just inches away from the top corner after a probing run from midfield.

Ultimately, it was an intriguing game in which both teams cancelled each other out and a mistake for either side could have lost them the match. The 230 fans attending from both sides can be happy with their performances and they can look forward to the replay on Tuesday, which will be spiced up further by both teams knowing who they may face in the next round, with the draw taking place on Monday. FT: 0-0

Report by Connor Steel

Next Game : Hamworthy Utd v Sholing - Tuesday 11 September 7:45pm - FA Cup Replay

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)