Sholing cruelly denied stunning win In Southampton Derby.
(Photo Credit- DB Photography)
Sholing were wearing their striking red home kit and attacking the goal towards the entrance gates. Recognising the challenge Totton were likely to present, We decided to take advantage straight away as straight from kick off Fabio Lopes sent a long ball up to Michael Folivi who beat the Totton keeper to head Sholing ahead after mere seconds. The stunned Stags quickly tried to make up for the lapse in concentration but Daniel Miller at the back was ready and drew a free kick after being pushed to the floor. Charlie Austin rushed at Fabio, trying to intimidate but had no luck as Fabio retained possession, picking up the loose ball. The home side began creating problems in the Sholing box but Fabio was there again and gave it to Benny Reed who rode several challenges to swing the game back in our favour.
Charlie Austin eventually made himself known, earning Totton a free kick after being taken down by Reece Wylie. Folivi had a chance to get another after collecting another through ball, this time courtesy of Benny Reed down the line but it was called offside before anything came from it. Joe Rabbets was next to deny Austin, throwing a foot at a loose ball that was destined to find the Totton’s strikers boot, the secondary delivery was safe into the hands of Pat Nash. The Boatmen denied the home team from getting an equaliser thanks to a overhead clearance from Daniel Miller, after Totton threatened to pounce off a bobbled goal kick from Nash. The men in blue kept up their pressure but several players from Sholing threw themselves at everything that was sent goalbound.
Sholing’s confidence was sky high after the early goal with Pat Nash toying with Totton forward Tony Lee. Nash got the better of Tony Lee again, this time blocking the striker’s shot with his feet. The ball bounced back to Totton but it was sent well over the bar. The home team missed another great chance thanks to the Sholing’s keeper after Nash saved on the line following a goalmouth scramble but it was given offside, despite some choice words from Austin. We kept cutting out everything and Nash was there again, saving one on one from Austin and anything Pat missed, Daniel Miller was there to cover.
We pushed for a second when Michael Folivi beautifully nutmegged the Totton man and put through Fabio Lopes and the chance was only curtailed courtesy of a daring slide tackle from the opposition. The home side had many close chances later in the first half that failed to find the net with each one kept out after some courageous goal line clearances. The momentum switched our way soon after as we had several opportunities to double the lead, the most significant being created by the magic of Brad Targett in the centre of the pitch. Reece Wylie was unlucky to miss from direct from a free kick, forcing the keeper to tap the swinging ball into the fans behind the goal. HT: 0-1
The early parts of the second half were even with the first big chance coming Sholing’s way, created by Joe Rabbets after a couple of half chances from Totton. The home team continued to try and rush forward, desperate to find an opportunity to level the game but they only found the feet of Jake Hesketh who was quickly surrounded, causing the play to head back towards the Sholing goal. Folivi pounced on another defensive blunder as the keeper came out to clear under severe pressure from the Sholing star. Neither Austin or Tony Lee could get past Nash after the Sholing number one was equal to a close range chance off a corner that was sent by Lee. Totton did create chances in the next phase of play but Daniel Miller imposed himself greatly, timing two sliding tackles perfectly to clear the ball.
Totton had another chance down the right wing but Rabbets was also quick to stop the attack, delivering an acrobatic clearance. The opposition were seeming showing no urgency or organisation as they gave possession away again, this time to Benny Read who sent through Akinola but the second continued to elude the Boatmen. Totton got a contentious spot kick after their man was brought down and Ethan Taylor converted powerfully into the top corner. The home side threw most of their team forward in the immediate aftermath to try and get a quick lead but couldn’t find it. Folivi took too much time on a golden chance that was cleared, he had another chance soon after but only found the keeper’s gloves.
Totton came very close to taking the lead from another corner, after Austin had beaten Read to the loose ball but yet again failed to find the end product. Both sides had many chances to take the lead towards the end of the game but neither team could do it. In the 94th minute after Nash parried another Totton chance, the ball fell to Ethan Taylor who rifled into the roof of an open goal his and his team’s second. It got worse for us as Blaise Riley-Snow was given his marching orders, receiving his second booking after being the last man as he brought the Totton man to the ground. Totton didn’t escape the Referee either as they also were reduced to ten men as Adam Tommasso was sent to the showers. As the chaos calmed down, Sholing were rapid to try and find a very last minute equaliser but we ran out of time as Totton took the three points.
FT: 2-1
James Mclean Sports 
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