AFC Totton 0-1 Sholing

Scorers : Dan Mason 82

Date: Monday 18th April 2022, 3pm – Southern League South Division 1

Venue:  Snows Stadium

AFC Totton: Amadeusz Skrzyniarz, Callum Baughan, Jordan Ragguette, Adam Tomasso ©, Pascal Kpohomouh, Rob Flooks, Shaquille Gwengwe (Adeoye Olumuyiwa 46), Ethan Taylor, Hisham Kasimu, Jake Adams (Nathan Hurst 30), Frederick Read (Brett Williams 61).  Unused subs : Lewis Waterfield & Josh Jeffries

Yellow Card:  Jordan Ragguette

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, Tomasz Gruzewski (Brad Targett 63 (Dean Frampton 77)), Marv McLean, Owen Roundell, Dan Miller, Rob Nicholls, Conor Whiteley, Byron Mason ©, Dan Mason, Sami Makhloufi 46, Charlie Wagstaffe (Jack Mann 72)  Unused subs : Ryan Cluett & Luke Deacon

Yellow Card:  Rob Nicholls & Sami Makhloufi

Referee:  Rob Ablitt   Assistants: Stephen Jansen & Harry Redman

Attendance: 896 (looked more like 500-600) - Approx 100 Sholing fans

Man of the Match : Rob Nicholls

Dan Mason hit an 82nd minute winner as we completed the double over Totton in the local derby.  A superb performance warranted the win & severely damaged the Stags play-off hopes.

Team News :  Gosney & Marv & Sami returned to the starting line-up, with Tomasz Gruzewski preferred on the right.  In the home dug-out was Sholing FA Vase winner, Lewis Fennemore, assisting Jimmy Ball.

The sun was shining in front of a big crowd with a good backing from Sholing as the players made their way out onto a perfect looking pitch (Unsurprisingly, given Southampton FC maintain it full time).   It was a cagey start, but Sholing were biting into the tackles and closing down Totton quickly as the game remained mostly in midfield. 

Totton keeper was first into action in the 13th min, getting down twice in quick succession to save shots towards his near post.  Jordan Raguette appeared to go over the top of the ball to leave Byron needing lengthy treatment. He was perhaps fortunate to escape with just a yellow card.  The skipper was ok to continue and was leading the defence as Sholing looked the more comfortable with the ball.   Marv broke into the box down the left a couple of times, once with a shot that was deflected wide of the far post.

Best chance fell to Conor Whiteley on 24 mins when set up by Rob Nicholls, but he lifted his shot over the bar.   Boatmen won a freekick on the edge of the Totton area on 29 mins, Dan Mason shot clipped the wall and went narrowly wide, with the referee giving a goal kick when the deflection was very evident.   Totton's best chance was given to them when Gosneys clearance went straight to one of their players, but he was quickly closed down with a shot deflected wide.    Dan Mason was working hard up front and put an inviting ball across the 6 yard box that evaded everyone.   Gosney comfortably pushed away a shot towards his right as the half ended.  HT 0-0

Boatmen continued to work their socks off after the restart, with every player putting in shift as Totton looked increasingly nervy as word came through that Winchester City were thrashing Lymington.  Much like D-Dan's cross in the first half, Owen Roundell's cross on the run flashed across the face of goal without anyone getting a touch.   Brad Targett came on for Tomasz, with Marv going to the right and Brad slotting into the left wing back role.  

Rob Nicholls, who must have covered every blade of grass, was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Totton player, when he clearly & cleanly won the ball. Was extra harsh to receive a yellow card for it, especially when a number of Totton players were not carded for persistant fouls.   Jack Mann replaced Charlie Wagstaffe, who had run himself into the ground on 72 mins.  Soon after, Brad Targett was left in a heap after a challenge and the sub was subbed, with Dean Frampton coming on.

The Boatmen back three of Owen Roundell, Byron Mason & Dan Miller were keeping quiet the Totton forward line of Hisham Kasimu & Ethan Taylor, who have 34 league goals between them. You felt that Sholing were the more likely to take the one big chance and that we did with 8 minutes to go.  Rob Nicholls perfectly lifted the ball from wide on the right into the path of DAN MASON, who coolly rolled it first time past the advancing keeper to send the Sholing fans behind the goal delirious!  The goal was even met with a rare outward show of emotion from Dave Diaper as he celebrated with Marc.

Totton had one chance to equalise, but an overhead kick was tipped over well by Ryan Gosney.  Referee signalled 4 added minutes and all of those were spent down by the Totton corner flag as Sholing comfortably saw out time to pick up an impressive & deserved derby day win and take home the local bragging rights.  FT 0-1

Dave Diaper : Great win against Totton today a big “thank you” to our travelling fans and your vocal support

Last Game of the Season : Sholing v Barnstaple Town - Saturday 23 April 3pm

Photos courtesy of EspieJaz (swipe to view pics)