Scorers : Callum Sweeney 32 (pen), Shane Lock 50  /  Dan Mason 4, 7 & 68, Dan Miller 18

Date: Saturday 16th February 2019 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Venue: Foxcotte Park

Andover New Street: George Baxter, Nathan Rae, Kieron Le Brun, Jamie Coleman, Matt Scott, Jamie Pollard, Shane Lock, Matt Marriner, Max Allen, Callum Sweeney, Zach Hines.  Subs : Kylen Lewis, Nathan Collins, Ilyas Warshaw, Oli Georgiou, Matt Williams

Yellow Cards: ?

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean, Pete Castle [c], Dan Miller, Owen Royl, Owen Roundell, Bradey Norton (Kev Brewster 70), Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Brad Targett (Jake Hoole 66)  Unused subs : Byron Mason, Ryan Mackney, Nick O'Donnell

Yellow Cards: Bradey Norton, Ryan Gosney, Pete Castle, Owen Roundell

Attendance: 158 (approx 40 Sholing fans)

Referee: Garry Hodgkinson   Assistants: Christopher Gunnell & Michael Ridge

Dan Mason scored his 4th hat-trick of the season to go within 1 goal of the half century of strikes as the Boatmen went 13 points clear at the top of the table with a victory over bottom of the table, Andover New Street.  A three goal blitz within the opening 18 mins set up the win, and although the home side made it interesting for a short time by getting 2 goals back, D-Dan's 49th goal of the season killed off any thoughts of a shock result.

Team News: Dave Diaper was forced into two late changes during the warm-up as both Byron Mason (illness) and Alex Sawyer (back) weren't risked. With Jack Smith unavailable, it was an unfamiliar midfield, with Owen Roundell coming in to do a holding role alongside Owen Royl, with Bradey Norton on set-piece duty. Byron's absence, delayed the skipper from making his 550th appearance for the club. Pete Castle took the captain's armband.

In front of a decent sized crowd, boosted by a big traveling support from Sholing, many making their first ever visit to "Street", all the early action took place in the home side penalty area as the Boatmen cruised into a three goal lead.  A slip in defence saw DAN MASON in behind and from 10 yards out, he coolly flicked the ball with the outside of his boot past the advancing keeper.   The Sholing attack were finding space with ease and on 7 minutes, Lee Wort worked a shooting opportunity, his effort was palmed out by the keeper, but straight to DAN MASON who slotted home.

D-Dan then turned provider for Sholing's third. He recovered a corner that was headed towards the touchline and swung in a cross into the 6 yard box where DAN MILLER got the touch ahead of 2 other Sholing players to claim his 8th goal of the season.  With only 18 mins on the clock, it appeared that "Street" could be on the end of the hiding, but they stemmed the tide of Sholing pressure and ventured forward themselves, getting a goal back on 32 minutes via a penalty.  The award of the pen was hotly disputed by Sholing players feeling that Marv didn't make contact as the winger pushed the ball past him and went over.  Referee pointed to the spot and Callum Sweeney fired past Gosney.  Sholing were a little guilty of holding onto the ball a bit too long when they got into good positions around the home side's box, but went into half time with a deserved lead.  HT 1-3

There was a scrappy start to the second half, with a bit of niggle and stoppages in play, that appeared to work in the favour of "Street" who pulled a second goal back on 50 minutes.  After being allowed too much space, Shane Lock got off a shot from inside the box that took a deflection to leave Gosney with no chance.  That got the home side and their support a bit more lively and Gosney did well to save a strongly struck shot from the edge of the box.  

Sholing composed themselves and started to take a grip of the game again, with Dan Miller heading over a freekick delivered into the box, when well placed.  It was from a similar freekick that the Boatmen made sure of the points on 68 minutes. Bradey Norton swung the ball in from the right channel to the middle of the box where DAN MASON flicked a perfectly directed and weighted header into the top corner to complete his hat-trick.

With the wind knocked out of Andover's sails, the Boatmen could have added to their tally, the best chance to fell to Lee Wort, who embarrassed the centre back with a nutmeg to run in on goal from the angle, but his sidefoot curling effort went just past the far post.  A potential banana skin was avoided by Sholing, who never took the win for granted against a team that maybe bottom, but on the evidence of the two games between the sides this season, probably should be higher up the table.   It's now 30 wins in the last 31 games for Sholing, who have a midweek free of fixtures to prepare themselves for the huge FA Vase Quarter Final at Northwich Victoria on Saturday.  FT 2-4

Next Game : Northwich Victoria v Sholing - Saturday 23 Feb 3pm - FA Vase Quarter Final

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