Scorers : Jake Hoole 6, Lee Wort 15, Dan Miller 18 & 73, Byron Mason 54 & 82, Alex Sawyer 63 / Mark Barker 11, James Davis 71
Date: Tuesday 13th February 2019 - 7:45pm - Southampton Senior Cup Quarter Final - Sponsored by Trophyman
Venue: Universal Stadium
Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean, Owen Roundell, Pete Castle, Owen Royl, Alex Sawyer, Byron Mason [c], Lee Wort, Brad Targett, Jake Hoole. Unused subs : Dan Mason, Kevin Brewster, Nick O'Donnell
Yellow Cards:
Bush Hill: Stephen Hodder, Daniel Smith, Ben Baddams, Sean Haines, James Lavender [c], Jake Long, John McCauley, James Davis, Mark Barker, Callum Drake, Martyn Randall. Subs: Liam Richardson, Perry Harding & Jack Jewell
Yellow Cards:
Attendance: 163
Referee: Sean Jenkins Assistants: Brian Francis & Brendan Bone
Sholing advanced into the Southampton Senior Cup Semi Finals with another big win, chalking up their 30th game undefeated. An entertaining game, where Bush Hill played their part, saw 9 goals with the Boatmen scoring 5 of them from set pieces, with a brace apiece for Dan Miller & Byron Mason
Team News : With a Reserve game scheduled for Wednesday, Diapes wasn't able on this occasion to give some of the club's younger players a game, so put out his strongest available line-up. Dan Mason, with a slight muscle injury, wasn't risked and sat on the bench. Sadly, Jamie Bulpitt missed out again and after a recent scan, might miss the rest of the season. Hopefully this won't be the case and we wish him a swift recovery. Bush Hill, currently 2nd in the Hampshire Premier and on a great run of 17 consecutive wins, had several familiar names in their team. Including, ex-Boatmen, James Davis and also ex-Brockenhurst striker, Mark Barker, who for many seasons, was regularly near the top of the leading scorers in the Wessex Premier.
Before the game, Sholing were awarded the Wessex League Respect award for January. Trevor Lewis accepted the award on behalf of the club from Wessex League president Dennis Challis
A frantic opening saw the game go end to end, but Sholing opened the scoring on 6 minutes when a freekick was awarded 20 yards out. JAKE HOOLE curled his effort round the wall and past the keeper who appeared to be somewhat deceived by the bounce just in front of him. Bush Hill quickly drew level as a ball down the left channel saw a slip from Roundell, allowing Mark Barker to advance and fire underneath Gosney on the angle.
Game swung back in Sholing's favour on 15 minutes as Brad Targett was released down the right and his nicely flighted cross into the box was finished with a sweet left foot volley by LEE WORT for his 38th of the season. It was quickly 3-1 when a wicked inswinging corner by Alex Sawyer was met at the far post with an emphatic header by DAN MILLER.
It was a breathless opening to the game, which slowly settled down, but the Boatmen were unlucky not to score again on 25 minutes. A great build up down the right wing saw Jake Hoole receive the ball in the box, beat a defender and fire off a well struck shot that smacked against the post, spun across the line, hit the other post and somehow stayed out. Brad Targett picked the ball up in midfield and went on a surging run down the middle before unleashing a shot that Hodder did well to save. HT 3-1
Sholing made sure of the win on 54 minutes, scoring their 4th when Alex Sawyer's delivery from a right sided freekick saw an unmarked BYRON MASON power in a header. Bush Hill, to their credit, were playing the ball on the deck, trying to build up from the back. However, with Sholing pushing up, the visitors repeatedly surrended possession in and around their own penalty area and after a couple of near misses, were made to pay on 63 mins. ALEX SAWYER blocked a clearance from a defender and as the ball dropped between him and the advancing keeper, he coolly sidefooted the ball into the far corner.
Bush Hill managed to do what only 4 other teams have managed this season, by scoring a second goal past the Sholing defence. James Davis fired in a shot from inside the box that hit the underside of the bar and came down just over the line before Gos could claw it out.
Bradey Norton had come on to replace Sawyer and took over taking set-pieces from him and went on to match his two assists as the Boatmen scored two more goals. On 73 minutes, Norton's corner towards the far post was met by DAN MILLER to head home his second goal. It was a similar delivery by Norton on 82 minutes, but met by BYRON MASON at the near post with a glancing header in front of the keeper.
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Sholing took their goal tally to 144 for the season. Since the Boatmen's last defeat to National League South, Slough Town, back in September, they have won 29 of the following 30 games. On paper it looks like a routine win for Sholing, but it was harder than that. A good game to watch, with both sides playing decent football. Good luck to Bush Hill for the remainder of their season. FT 7-2
The Semi Final will see Sholing play Alresford Town on Tuesday 26th February, 7:30pm kick off, game taking place at AFC Stoneham (who play Winchester City in the other Semi).
Next Game : Andover New Street v Sholing - Saturday 16 Feb 3pm - Wessex Premier
