Wimborne Town 2-3 Sholing

Scorers : Addwell 7 & 34  /  Conor Whiteley 33, Brad Targett 36, Stu Green 58

Date: Tuesday 13 July 2021, 7:30pm – Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: J & Bs Stadium - New Cuthbury

Sholing: Luke Deacon, Ryan Cluett, Jo Smith (Yumo Wan 66), Mitch Byrne, Dan Miller, Robin Nicholls, Charlie Wagstaffe (Martin Buckland 65), Claudio Herbert, Brad Targett, Conor Whiteley (Nathan Gray 60), Stu Green (Rafael Ramos 74).  Unused subs : Jake Cope & Michael Kurn

Attendance: Approx 150

Referee: Steve Fall  Assistants: Neil Lewis & Andy Brown

Sholing got pre-season underway with a win and a good performance at Wimborne Town at their impressive new stadium.  Conor Whiteley & Brad Targett grabbed first half goals to square the game at half time, but the undoubted highlight of the match was a stunning volley by Stu Green in the second half.

The "New Cuthbury" is located on the edge of Wimborne, but is already almost surrounded by new housing developments.  The ground includes a big clubhouse, two seated stands either side of the half way line and a full length covered terrace behind one goal. Thankfully, Wimborne didn't bring their infamous slope from the old Cuthbury with them, so the new playing surface looked immaculate, with Oxford United using it as their base for pre-season training this week.  There's also a 3G pitch next door owned by the club, for vital revenue generation outside of matchdays.

It was a perfect summer's evening for the game after the thundery showers the days before. Warm, but not too muggy and it was a great sight to have fans back inside grounds, including a good contingent from Sholing.  There were some new faces in the Boatmen line-up, with Conor Whiteley up front, Mitch Byrne at centre back (previously with AFC Totton & Team Solent) and Jake Cope on the bench (AFC Bournemouth & Poole Town).  Byron, Dan & Marv were unavailable and Ryan Gosney watched on from the sidelines as he builds up fitness following a knee operation.

The Southern League Premier side seized the initiative early doors, forcing Luke Deacon into a terrific save, but on 7 minutes, Wimborne took the lead.  Boatmen were unable to clear the lines, with the ball pinging around the box before Addwell swept in from 15 yards out.  Sholing's first chance saw Green played into space on the right, but his attempted chip was comfortably claimed.  Brad Targett was given a chance to show his pace in a race with the out-rushing keeper, which neither of them won as they clattered into each other, with Alex Cull coming off worse and having to be substituted with a cut to his leg (hopefully not serious).

Sholing were growing into the game and on 33 minutes, sparked a frantic 5 minutes of 3 goals!   Firstly, CONOR WHITELEY found the bottom corner with a daisy-cutter from outside the area.  Straight from the restart, the speedy Addwell put Wimborne back in the lead, bursting in from the right flank & finishing across Deacon, who got something on it, but not enough to stop it finding the far corner.   The goals kept on coming as 2 minutes later, a loose pass across their own area by Wimborne was seized upon by BRAD TARGETT, to take a touch & open himself up to fire past the keeper from just inside the box to take us in even at the break.  HT 2-2

Boatmen were playing the ball around nicely and soon created a good chance as Brad Targett spotted Robin Nicholls in space, he advanced and let fly, but the keeper saved.  There was another lovely sweeping move from back to front down the right wing, but the Wimborne defence closed it down as we worked the ball into the area.

Then on 58 minutes a truly special goal was scored by STU GREEN.  Luke Deacon passed the ball out to Mitch Byrne who lifted a long through ball over the Wimborne defence into the path of Stu Green who showed incredible technique to hit it full on the volley from 18 yards, giving the keeper no chance as it screamed into the net.  A real worldy!

Video Courtesy of TBTV Sport:

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The goal seemed to knock Wimborne out of their stride a bit, with Sholing looking comfortable at the back and the subs who came on, all fitting in nicely into the shape and contributing.  Nathan Gray & Rafael Ramos went up top, Martin Buckland into midfield & Yumo Wan at full back.  The home side went close with a snap shot that fizzed just wide of the upright, but Sholing continued to look dangerous too.  Rafael Ramos took the ball down well, turned and let off a well struck shot that went just wide. He then helped set up a late penalty when another shot rebounded off the keeper, with Brad Targett getting a toe to it first before being taken down by the goalie.  Claudio Herbert stepped up, but his pen was saved, however, the referee ordered a retake.  Claudio's second effort was to the other side of the goal, but clipped the top of the bar!  FT 2-3

All in all, a very entertaining and competitive game.  Thank you to Wimborne for hosting and hospitality.

Next Game :  Hamble Club v Sholing - Saturday 3pm

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