Bashley0 0Sholing

Scorers :

Date: Saturday 16 March 2019 - 3pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Venue: Bashley Road

Bashley: Cameron Plain, Hugh Dathan, Liam Farrigua, Brad Morris [c], Dan Thompson, Tony Rolls (Julius Kruger 8), Jack Smith, Jesse Gould, Cameron Beard, Dan O'Sullivan, Jamie Webber (Brogen Sims 78). Unused sub: Oliver Bull

Yellow Cards:

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Jake Hoole, Pete Castle, Dan Miller, Owen Royl (Jamie Bulpitt 46), Alex Sawyer, Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Bradey Norton (Brad Targett 66).  Unused subs : Owen Roundell, Kev Brewster & Nick O'Donnell

Yellow Cards: Pete Castle

Attendance: 186 (approx 40 Sholing fans)

Referee: Paul Barber   Assistants: Tim Paul & Steve Fall

Sholing failed to score in the league for the first time this season, but still kept their unbeaten record intact with a goaless draw at Bashley.  The elements were the real winner, with stormforce winds down the length of the pitch, curtailing the game as a footballing spectacle.

Team News: Marv & Jack Smith were injured, so there was a first ever start at left back for Jake Hoole.  Bradey Norton came in on the left, but was to swap positions with Hoole, repeatedly during the game.  Bashley had 3 first team regulars missing, including leader scorer, Dan Munday.

Byron Mason won the toss and decided to have the wind at Sholing's backs for the first half. It ended up not being much of an advantage as the gusty nature of the 50mph wind meant passes and set pieces were often carried beyond their intended target.  Bashley had to make an early change on 8 minutes when Dan Mason & Rolls went to kick a dropping ball at the same time, with the home defender coming off worse. 

Most of the game was being played in the Bashley half, but it wasn't until 22 minutes that the first good chance arrived and it probably should have been taken.  A cross from the left wing found Lee Wort unmarked 6 yards out at the far post, but an unusually tentative effort by the striker was put past the post.  On 30 minutes, Bradey Norton set up Alex Sawyer on the edge of the box, but his shot curled over the bar.  Then TJ had a long range shot that fizzed towards goal, but straight at the keeper.  Bashley left their attacking until the final minute of the half, with a 25 yard shot that appeared to dip late, but Gosney tipped it over to be sure.  From the corner, the home side should have taken the lead, but a free header from the middle of the goal was put wide.  HT 0-0

Bulpitt came on for Royl for the second half as Bashley now had the strong wind in their favour.  They used it better than Sholing did, having more shots towards goal, including a freekick that Gos pushed full length round the post.  Another freekick dipped and swerved in the wind but went just wide.  Bashley's Jack Smith was looking dangerous down the left wing and he had a shot smothered by Gosney.

In the space of a minute at either end, both sides had good chances to score. Firstly a ball into the Bashley area saw Jamie Bulpitt get off a snap shot that drew a very good reaction save by Cameron Plain, who flicked out a foot to deny what looked a certain goal.  Down the other end, Bashley got the ball over Gosney, but Dan Miller cleared the ball away near the line.   The game did have 0-0 written all over it, but Sholing had a chance to nick the win in added time when Brad Targett set up Lee Wort in space on the left side of the goal, but instead of shooting with his left, he tried to cut it back onto his right and was closed down. 

A draw was a fair result and it keeps the Boatmen's unbeaten run going on a testing day and a very testing week of 3 tough games in the space of 5 days (more of that next week too!)  FT 0-0

Next Games (Three this week at home!)

Sholing v Havant & Waterlooville - Tuesday 7:45pm - Hampshire Cup Semi Final
Sholing v Hamworthy United - Thursday 7:45pm - Wessex Premier
Sholing v Alresford Town - Saturday 3pm - Wessex Premier

Photos courtesy of Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)

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