Sholing 0-2 Paulton Rovers

Scorers : Will Harvey 22, Ed Butcher 46

Date: Saturday 23rd October 2021, 3pm – Southern League South Div 1

Venue:  Mackoy Stadium

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, Ryan Cluett (Brad Targett 61), Jake Hoole, Jack Mann (Martin Buckland 55), Mitch Byrne, Rob Nicholls, Conor Whiteley, Byron Mason ©, Dan Mason (Claudio Herbert 81), Joe Adams, Marv McLean.  Unused subs : Jake Cope & Mackenzie Hare

Yellow Card: Rob Nicholls, Conor Whiteley, Ryan Gosney

Paulton Rovers: Aaron Sainsbury, James Byrne, Nuno Felix © (Adam Kelly 70), Neil Martin, Dan Dempsey, George Fowler, Will Harvey, Nathan Brown, Thierry Swaby (David O'Hare 69), Liban Ibrahim, Ed Butcher. Unused subs: Leo Eglin, Harley Prior & Chris Cooke

Yellow Card : Nathan Brown, Adam Kelly, Liban Ibrahim

Referee:  Sean Phillips   Assistants: Calum McFarlene & Jacob Wright

Attendance: 118

Sholing's run of bad results continued as the Boatmen were second best in all departments to a Paulton Rovers side that ran out comfortable winners.

Before the game, Marv Mclean received a presentation from Simon Gardener of the Southern League and Sholing Club Vice President, Trevor Lewis & Chairman, Gerry Roberts, to mark Marv's 700+ games for the Boatmen and his overall contribution to the club.

Team News : Marv played on with an injury and a few other players were also not 100%.

Right from the kick off, Paulton were energetic & organised, moving the ball around quickly and not letting Sholing have any time on the ball.  Rovers had the first chance on 9 mins as the Boatmen sat off and allowed a shot from the edge of the area that Gosney had to palm out, with the rebound put over a gaping goal.  It was the same on 12 mins, too much space in the Boatmen final third and Gos had to make a save.

It was no suprise at all when Paulton took a deserved lead on 21 mins, a mistake at the back allowed Will Harvey to advance and score from the right side of the area.  Rovers should have quickly had a second, a pass found their player in acres of space, but he rushed his shot and put it wide.  

Took until 25 mins for Sholing to have their first meaningful attack, Conor Whiteley getting to the byline to cross into the 6 yard box where Dan Mason flicked it with his heel, but the keeper dropped to his right to save.   Apart from D-Dan shooting over, there was nothing else from the Boatmen going forward, as Paulton created several more chances and also hit the base of the post with a freekick.  HT 0-1

Normally, Sholing put a bad first half behind them and come out fired up to put it right, but not today, a minute into the second half, Ed Butcher had space and time to fire across Gosney and in off the far post.   

Only when Brad Targett came on with 20 mins to go, did we look something like a threat in the final third, but still we weren't able to create a serious effort on target.   Was one of those game where you just want the final whistle to blow to put you out your misery.  

All credit to Paulton Rovers, they played well, lots of energy & movement, knocked it about at pace and all the team were communicating and working for each other.

Today's poor performance will hopefully not be repeated and the management and players can use this 2 week break to reset, get back to basics and to preparing & playing how we know we can.   FT 0-2

Next Game :  Sholing v Cinderford Town - Southern League - Saturday 6th November 3pm

Photos courtesy of HR Media & Jaz (swipe to view pics)