AFC Totton 1-3 Sholing

Scorers :  Scott Rendell 53 (pen) / Dan Mason 48, 73, Byron Mason 83

Date: Saturday 6 January 2024, 3pm – Southern League Premier South

Venue: Snows Stadium   Attendance: 1,235

AFC Totton : Lewis Noice, Jordan Ragguette, Charlie Kennedy, Luke Hallett, Joseph Oastler, Adam Tomasso (Ethan Taylor 84), Scott Rendell ©, Jordan Chiedozie (Alfie Stanley 74), Sam Magri, Leon Maloney, Joe Turner (Matty Burrows 74).  Unused Subs : Ashton Pickles, Luke Bennett

Bookings : Jordan Ragguette, Joseph Oastler

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, Brad Targett, Marv McLean, Owen Roundell (Rob Flooks 57), George Milner-Smith (Mathias Tepe 78), Byron Mason ©, Charlie Davis, Keane Anderson, Dan Mason, Luka Chalwell (Alex MacAllister 63), Karlos Gregory.  Unused subs : Jake Cope, Charlie Wagstaffe

Bookings : Brad Targett, Owen Roundell, George Milner-Smith, Charlie Davis

Man of the Match : Charlie Davis

Dan Mason scored a brace to become Sholing's all time record goalscorer as a hat-trick of second half corners by Charlie Davis gave the Boatmen a thoroughly deserved win in the Southampton Derby, stretching our unbeaten run in league derbies to 9 years.

Team News : Luka Chalwell returned to the starting line-up and there was a place on the bench for new loan signing from Aldershot Town, Alex MacAllister.  Watching on from the sidelines was the injured trio of Dan Miller, Jake Hesketh & Jake Flannigan.  Totton put out their strongest available side, but it was sad to see former Boatmen, Mike Carter on crutches before the match after a knee operation. All the best to Carts for a full recovery.

Thankfully the recent heavy rain had gone and the game got underway in sunshine in front of a big crowd. It was an even opening, Totton shooting across goal and wide before Luka almost got in behind.  A deep cross by Marv was just inches too high for the arriving Brad Targett at the far post.

Brad Targett was giving the left side of Totton a torrid time, beating them for skill and pace several times with surging runs and towering flick-ons.  Brad created a great chance as he sped into the box, his cut back was somehow missed by D-Dan and fell for Keane Anderson arriving at the far side of the 6 yard box, but a combination of Totton bodies managed to get the ball round the post.

Turner tried his luck from distance with a dipping shot that Gosney took no chances with, comfortably pushing it over the bar.  Another impressive leap by Targett nodded the ball onto Dan Mason, who lifted the ball over Noice, but it landed wide of the far post and just too far ahead of Chalwell.

Boatmen should have a corner when the Totton defender clearly headed it behind, the referee initially gave it, but was strangely overruled by his assistant.  Just before the break, Karlos Gregory fired over to end a half where Sholing were the better side, but it remained level.  HT 0-0

Boatmen took the lead 3 minutes into the second half. A right sided corner by Charlie Davis was met with a downward header by DAN MASON that bounced past the Totton player at the far post.  It took D-Dan level with his old mate & scoring partner Lee Wort on 283 goals.

Totton were given a generous penalty award on 53 mins when a cross from the right was smashed at Owen Roundell from close range, but the referee pointed to the spot regardless.  Scott Rendell converted the penalty.

The home side had their best spell of the game for the next 15 mins or so, although Sholing defended strongly and apart from Chiedozie stinging the palms of Gosney and goal being ruled out for offside, the Boatmen rode it out and started to go forward again.

On 73 mins we were back in front!  Another Charlie Davis corner that picked out DAN MASON to thump in a header.  That was the goal that broke Worty's record and put D-Dan onto 284 goals for the club.

Tomasso fired a shot from the edge of the area that skimmed the outside of Gosney's post, but that was the last real threat by Totton.  Alex MacAllister came on for his debut and almost had a dream start, smashing a left foot shot narrowly over.   Then Charlie Davis curled a 22 yard freekick over the wall and the keeper tipped it over the bar for a corner...

Yes, a hat-trick of assists from Charlie Davis against the side who released him earlier this season as his delivery was powered in by an unstoppable header by BYRON MASON !  Despite Totton having an impressive record of scoring late goals, the Stags looked a beaten team and Sholing almost grabbed a fourth, but Karlos shot over. 6 minutes of added time were navigated comfortably by the Boatmen for a hugely impressive performance and big 3 points in the local derby.  FT 1-3

Dos : "A performance that was similar to the ones at Chesham & Gosport, where we played really well, but in those games, came away with nothing. I was a bit worried at half time it would the same story, we had played well, kept the ball and turned Totton several times, but hadn't put the ball in the net, although having two forwards certainly gave us more threat and took the burden off D-Dan.  Brad Targett was excellent, even more so as he was struggling before kick off and had exhausted the medical teams annual budget of Vicks Inhalers!"

"When doing analysis of Totton, we picked up on something on how they defend corners and had worked on it in training and in the warm-up.  But it's one thing to have a plan and another to implement it.  Charlie Davis has a brilliant delivery from set pieces and against Bracknell put in half a dozen great corners that none of our players got first contact on.  Against Totton we put that right, some great headers by D-Dan & Byron, but it's also about the movement of others to create those opportunities"

"It was a harsh penalty as the ball was blasted at Owzie from close range.  I'm not sure anyone knows what is and isn't a handball in the box anymore.  Totton had a spell of pressure, but we dug in, competed and after we scored the 2nd goal, I felt there was only going to be one winner"

"I have a huge amount of respect for Jimmy Ball & Paul Masters and it was very pleasing as Sholing manager to hear them graciously give us all the credit for the performance and win.  That meant a lot"

"I am really pleased for our supporters, directors and volunteers to get that win against our local rivals. I know how much it means to the club.  Once again, our fans were superb, vocal and always positive with their support."

"Lastly, want to pay credit to the players, who are united and we have a nice mix of experience and youth in the squad, despite still being hampered by injuries to key players.  We often forget that Karlos, Keane, George, Luka and Mathias are all young men, but they have the strength of character to back up their ability and up against a very powerful Totton side, came out on top. We've added Alex MacAllister to the squad, another impressive young man who will give us more attacking options." 

"Yesterday was a good day for Sholing and we carry that good feeling into another tough local derby at home to Winchester next Saturday, which I hope you all will be at to support us"

Next Game : Sholing v Winchester City - Saturday 13 Jan 3pm - Southern Premier

Photos courtesy of EspieJaz, swipe to view