Scorers : Scott Hills 86 /  Dan Mason 15, 22 & 61, Byron Mason 71

Date: Tuesday 9 July April 2019 - 7:45pm - Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: HP Arena

Sholing players used: Aaron Whitmarsh, Lewis Dumper, TJ Cuthbertson, Owen Royl, Dean Faithful, Dan Miller, Owen Roundell, Byron Mason, Dan Mason, Aiden Radford, Brad Targett, Jake Hoole, Marlon Mason, Tobi Falodi, Lewis Willsher, Jack Nicholas, Conall Bark, Bertrand Gbezo, Jean-Pierre Alexander

Attendance:  68

Referee:  Peter Lowe   Assistants:  James Crascall & Nathan Crook

Dan Mason picked up exactly where he left off last season, by banging in a fine hat-trick as the Boatmen got their pre-season friendly fixtures underway at Wessex 1 Champions, AFC Stoneham.

Dave Diaper had a mixture of first team regulars, youngsters and trialists in this squad and gave all of them a run-out on a warm summer's evening on a dry pitch at the HP Arena.  It was a scrappy opening as the players got the rustyness out of their system, but soon Sholing started to find their legs with Brad Targett especially, showing his pace down the right side and it was from a surging run that the Boatmen took the lead on 15 minutes.  Brad sped down the right and cut into the area before pulling the ball back, where it eventually found Dan Mason to slot past a group of players and into the net from 15 yards.

On 22 minutes and the spectators were treated to a fantastic goal by D-Dan.  A corner was cleared to him just outside the area, he controlled and unleashed a measured volley that flashed inside the post.  Sholing continued to dominate the game, looking dangerous from set pieces and from a corner, Owen Roundell headed against the bar.   HT 0-2

It was no surprise when Dan Mason completed his hat-trick, when on 61 mins a quick freekick by Byron was controlled on his chest by Dan to get him beyond the defender and in one motion the lethal striker finished across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

With multiple subs being used by both sides, the game lost a bit of its intensity, but on 71 mins, Sholing got a fourth when Jack Nicholas' inswinging corner was met with a flick header by Byron Mason that found the far bottom corner.   AFC Stoneham got a late consolation as the Boatmen defence waited for an offside flag that never came, allowing the ball to be squared to Hills to tap into the empty net. A good run-out for the squad as we build up fitness and sharpness over the coming pre-season games.  FT 1-4

Next Friendly : Solent University (Team Solent) v Sholing - Friday 12th July 7:45pm