Sholing 0-3 Winchester City

Scorers : Henry Brooks 35, Max Smith 69, Olly Balmer 84

Date: Tuesday 8th February 2022, 7:45pm – Southampton Senior Cup 2nd Round

Venue:  Mackoy Stadium

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, Tomasz Gruzewski, Marv McLean (Jake Cope 70), Jack Mann (Owen Roundell 71), Dan Miller, Rob Nicholls, Connor Whiteley, Byron Mason ©, Dan Mason, Sami Makhloufi, Brad Targett.  Unused subs : Ryan Cluett, Josh Batt & Luke Deacon

Yellow Card:  Owen Roundell, Jake Cope, Jack Mann, Rob Nicholls

Winchester City: Ryan Pryce, Connall Bark, Josh McCormick, Ollie Griggs, Dan Walsh, Pip Nolan, Henry Brooks (Tyrell Mitford 70), Max Smith, Craig Feeney © (Rob Elms 79) Olly Palmer, Liam Callaghan.  Unused subs : Lex Vaughan, Jamie Barron, Warren Bentley

Yellow Card : Connall Bark

Referee:  Sam Ogles   Assistants: Adrian Knight & Rob Linter

Attendance: 170

Sholing were well beaten by Winchester City for the 2nd time in a week, as we crashed out of the Southampton Senior Cup.

Team News :  Stu Green was the only senior player missing for the Boatmen as they put out a strong side.  Winchester rotated their squad, with 8 of their usual starting line-up either rested or unused substitutes.

Dan Mason had the first shot of the match after being set up by Jack Mann, but his well struck shot took a nick off a defender that took it just over the bar.  Boatmen were getting into promising positions early on, but the correct decision making around the box was lacking.  This was typified when Brad Targett looked to be in on goal, but he elected to try to square the ball for Whiteley and the pass was overhit.  However, we had a great opportunity to take the lead on 26 mins when Marv Mclean was tripped for a penalty.  Brad Targett took it, but his low effort was saved by Pryce, who also did well to block the follow up from Whiteley.

The visitors went in front on 36 mins when Balmer fed Henry Brooks to finish inside the near post.  Balmer & Feeney then took turns to hit the woodwork after sloppy defending by Sholing, who offered nothing going forward for the rest of the half.  HT 0-1

Straight after the restart, Winch again hit the woodwork before Sholing had a 10 minute period of pressure. Dan Mason was denied by a good save, Whiteley put a shot narrowly wide and then a freekick over the bar.  However, Winchester rode that out and went further in front when Max Smith found himself not closed down outside the box and he smacked an unstoppable shot from 22 yards past Gosney.

It was uncomfortable viewing for Sholing fans for the rest of the match, as Winchester looked in control and the Boatmen players were picking up yellow cards for niggly fouls.  Was no surprise when the visitors scored their 3rd after good build up play, Mitford found Olly Balmer who checked and finished emphatically into the far corner. Winchester were still hungry to claim a clean sheet as Nolan cleared off the line and Pryce made another good stop in the closing stages.  FT 0-3

Next Game : Sholing v Frome Town - Southern League - Saturday 12 February 3pm

Photos courtesy of EspieJaz (swipe to view pics)