Sholing3 0CowesSports

Scorers :  Dan Mason 16 & 90+2, Lee Wort 82

Date: Saturday 27th October 2018 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Venue: Universal Stadium

Match Sponsor: EmeraldMotorShirtLogo1

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Owen Royl, Pete Castle, Jamie Bulpitt, Alex Sawyer, Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Bradley Targett.  Unused Subs : Marv McLean, Ryan Mackney, Kevin Brewster, Jake Hoole, Owen Roundell

Yellow Cards: Alex Sawyer

Cowes Sports: Ben Gearing, Connor White, Aiden Bryan, Ashley Brett, Dominic Sexton (Aiden White 84), Jacob Jarvis, Jack Broomfield, Callum Chase, Gareth Bricknell, James Wykes (Dave Thurman 84), Jez Conway (Dan Pearson 69). Unused subs:  Ryan Gardner, Charlie Allen

Yellow Cards: Ashley Brett, Gareth Bricknell

Attendance: 88

Referee: Alex Rush-Fear  Assistants: Alan Gower & Rudi Burton

Emerald Motors Man of the Match : Jamie Bulpitt

On a bitterly cold autumnal afternoon at the Universal Stadium, Sholing hosted the visitors from “the island” as the Boatmen faced the Yachtsmen in a nautically themed contest. Dave Diaper’s side were looking to maintain their perfect start in the Wessex Premier League as Cowes - under the command of Vic Sanders - crossed the Solent in the midst of an inconsistent season that saw them sitting in mid-table ahead of this one.

With Sholing on a seven match winning streak, Diaper made only one change to his team selection from the Lymington Town game as Owen Royl - who recently celebrated his 19th birthday - came in for Marvin McLean, who had a tight hamstring.

Sent out in an attack-minded manner, Cowes started strongly and created two early chances before the Boatmen took the lead against the run of play on 18 minutes. Alex Sawyer broke through midfield and found DAN MASON, who had timed his run to perfection. D-Dan gathered the ball in his stride and rifled his 23rd goal of another prolific season across Ben Gearing and in from 18 yards.

Jez Conway flashed an effort wide in an immediate response from the visitors, and Cowes then rattled the upright through Yachtsmen skipper Gareth Bricknell from distance. Jacob Jarvis could only manage to glance his header wide on the rebound when well placed.

TJ Cuthbertson went close after a swift Sholing break, and, at the other end, right-back Connor White forced a smart low save from Ryan Gosney, who otherwise found himself with little to do. HT 1-0

As the wind got even more biting after the restart, Lee Wort volleyed over the bar and Gearing was called into action again, this time to deny Cuthbertson’s well-struck drive from distance. Brad Targett was also off radar with a 25-yarder but Sholing were now in control and looked to have sealed the deal with eight minutes to play in a scrappy second half.

The Boatmen’s deadly duo of Mason and Wort have already plundered almost a half century of strikes between them, and linked up again to deadly effect to take their combined tally to 47. After an exchange of passes, D-Dan knocked the ball down to the lurking LEE WORT who culminated the move as he drilled clinically beyond the keeper to put the result beyond any lingering doubt.

Sholing added late gloss and gave the scoreline a flattering look in stoppage time when DAN MASON notched his second of the game as he met a sand-wedge Cuthbertson 22 yard free kick with a downward header from close range. That maintained the Boatmen’s perfect, 100% start to the 2018-19 Sydenhams Wessex League season and ensured that it’s now 570 minutes since Sholing last conceded a goal. FT 3-0

Report by Jamie Spoor

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Dave Diaper said afterwards : "Slightly flattering 3-0 scoreline against a workmanlike Cowes side who for 75 mins gave us a game. However, credit to my guys, who did enough to win the game and gain an ugly win. We march on, 9 out of 9 and now onto Monday and a trip to Team Solent, who got a great point at Fareham today."

Next Game :  Team Solent v Sholing - Monday 29 Oct 7:45 - Wessex Premier
Next Home Game : Sholing v Malmesbury Victoria - Saturday 3 Nov 3pm - FA Vase

Photos by Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)