Author: James Mclean

Max Bustamante scores last minute header to secure an incredible Sholing turnaround.

Photo Credit- DB Photography

It wasn’t long after kick off when Sholing, attacking the goal away from the marquee, had the first attempt at goal but no one was able to turn in the cross sent in by Fabio Lopes. We had two back to back corners soon after taken by Reece Wylie, the second of which found its way to Daniel Mason who found the back of the net before it was given offside.

Mason turned provider in the next attack, holding off the incoming Plymouth defender to allow Folivi to force a near post save from the visiting keeper. The visitors took a punt at the goal but their centre back sent it high and wide into the car park. Plymouth couldn’t create a follow up as Benny Read forced their man to put the ball out of play. Fabio was at it again, skilling past the back line in an attempt to put Folivi through but it was cut out. Sholing keeper Pat Nash was brave in his first proper challenge, coming out to stop the ball falling to the open Plymouth forward on the right side. 

The defenders couldn’t keep up with Lopes’ skill as he repeated it after picking up a ball from Read, this time Lopes did get it to Folivi but Michael sent it over the bar. It was Bradley Targett’s turn to deliver some defensive genius, first throwing in a last ditch tackle and then cutting out a cross in the six yard area. The opposing numbers did do well with the possession and opportunities they did have, hoping their style of play would eventually catch the Boatmen out. Captain Jake Hesketh sent a through ball to Joe Rabbets, who attempted an audacious lob but found the keeper’s gloves. Hesketh had his own chance but he couldn’t convert either.

 The referee didn’t make himself popular among the home faithful, giving a contentious foul against Sholing despite it looking as if Hesketh had been pushed over. The skipper let his emotions run high as he pushed away the Plymouth man who had brought him down and a scuffle ensued. The Devonians had their forward ping a curling shot from outside the box that looked set for the top right corner but Pat Nash saved at full stretch. We had another great chance where several players worked well as the ball found the feet of Folivi again but this time a deflection took it away. Fabio Lopes sent the opposing defender to the floor with a lovely stepover but again Folivi could not find the answer as the first part of the game came to a close and somehow the score remained goalless. HT 0-0

Michael had yet another chance, this one being his closest chance but the back line scrambled to get it out. Up the other end, Benny Read sent a power shot in and stung the midriff of the incoming defender. Sholing were creating opportunities but every time they appeared to have scored the linesman had something to say about it. Rabbets then made a great interception and gave the ball to Zidane Akers who did well to keep possession on the touchline under pressure. 

The away team seemed content with holding possession and it began to frustrate Sholing as the attacking momentum began going the way of Plymouth. Nash stopped one such chance, racing to cover for an open goal that had been created. Clearly, the Referee hadn’t made any fans amongst the opposition either , booking one of their players for swearing. Rabbets made the clearance of the game as he flied to the other side of the box to take the ball of the away attacker who was lining up a shot that nine times out of ten would’ve gone in. Plymouth had another shot against Nash, this time it just hobbled over the bar but made the Sholing stopper work.

On 82 minutes , the men from the South West were given a penalty after Brad Targett was judged to have fouled the opposing striker, they converted the ensuing spot kick as Nash was sent the wrong way. Plymouth began getting stuck in but faced the consequences as one of their players received a booking after clattering Reece Wylie to the floor. After a free kick, taken by Charlie Gunson forced the opposite number 1 to push the ball out for a corner to his right side, Sholing found a 90th minute equaliser after Folivi finally got his goal after turning in a loose ball from a goalmouth scramble.

Minutes later it got even better for us as a late tackle resulted in another free kick, Max Bustamante managed to get his head to the ball and sent it into the top right corner to complete the remarkable takeover. Soon after the full time whistle went and Sholing had secured another three points in dramatic fashion. FT 2-1

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

Superb Sholing anchor down their promotion chasing visitors in an entertaining affair at the Mortgage Decisions Stadium.

photo- DB Photography

After both sides respectfully observed a moments silence, the first chance fell to Gloucester and their striker Dayle Grubb but was thwarted by an on-form Sholing defence. 

The Boatmen’s pressure seemed to catch the visitors off guard with them resorting to playing the ball around the back line, favouring keeping possession instead of giving Sholing a chance to break the deadlock.

Sholing began to assert dominance in the midfield with captain Jake Hesketh causing the away side all sorts of problems. The home side turned their dominance into their first big chance after Hesketh picked up a great through ball and was unlucky not to take the lead. 

The visitors tried their best to rattle the Sholing back line but the Boatmen remained composed with George Milner-Smith taking a leading role in what would turn out to be an exceptional individual performance.

Sholing also dominated on the right side of the Gloucester goal, causing cold feet amongst the opposition and making them look very shaky at the back. Gloucester had another great chance down the flanks but the Sholing defenders were equal again, frustrating their visitors. Gloucester pounced on a sloppy pass but failed to convert after the home team recovered brilliantly. Sholing continued to limit opportunities for the opposition. The best chance of the game up to that point fell the home team’s way when Bradley Targett curled a shot just past the right post. 

For the remainder of the half, Gloucester were kept mostly in their own half forced to clear multiple Sholing chances before the half time whistle was blown. HT 0-0

The visitors broke the deadlock early in the second half as Brandon Smailey converted from very close range. However, Sholing were not going down without a fight. Sholing equalised 3 minutes later after a spectacular effort from Joseph Rabbets nestled in the right corner. George Milner-Smith was involved again after he put his body on the line, stopping another Gloucester chance.

The only hitch on the home team’s performance was a booking for Charlie Gunson after he brought down Kevin Dawson but it paled in comparison to a great team performance earning a great point but they deserved all three in a fantastic game. FT 1-1

Sholing unlucky in defeat as last minute winner cancels out Hesketh wonder goal in a valiant effort in tight affair Surrey.

Sholing, sporting their yellow and blue away strip started attacking the left goal against the Walton team decked out in all red.

Harry Taylor sent a good long ball up field, aimed at the Sholing frontmen but it was given away after some sharp awareness from the Walton defenders.

Jake Hesketh and Walton man Julian Ecclestone were equally matched, going for a loose ball and their feet collided. Charlie Gunson went toe to toe with the Walton defender, appearing to get bodied but nothing was given.

As the home side began to turn the heat up, Sholing keeper Charles Searle read the ball perfectly and calmly cleared from outside the box. Sholing continued to read the home team’s moves well this time courtesy of Harry Taylor, cutting out a through ball. Gunson also intercepted another through ball.

Walton were quick to pounce on the rare mistakes Sholing did make. Taylor saw his pass intercepted but the home side failed to capitalise. Joseph Rabbets had an individual moment of brilliance, beating multiple Walton men and forcing a corner from which Charlie Gunson made the keeper work.

Sholing challenged Walton keeper significantly after Daniel Mason caught a half volley, causing two home defenders to throw themselves in front of it. Fabio Lopes turned in a loose ball, received from Mason but was soon flagged for offside. Walton had their first big chance, product of Thomas Diyott but the Boatmen were equal, sending it away from goal.

The boys in yellow had two more chances in the first half when  the ball fell kindly for Seung Yang who hit with all the power but couldn’t quite get the height. The second one came from Rabbets, whose cross had to be parried by the home goalie.

Searle wasn’t afraid to come off his line to clear, sending one into the forest behind the dugouts. Searle was beaten by the head of Dawid Rogalski after he turned in a cross from Jordan Esprit after piercing the strong Sholing defence. Sholing rebounded quickly, Rabbets sent in another cross as an equaliser before the break was eagerly hunted down but it wasn’t found and the first half came to a close. HT 1-0

The first big moment of the second half came the way of the Boatmen, Charlie Gunson whisking a free kick inches past the post. Walton delivered a long ball down to Thomas Diyott but Sholing were resolute and forced the home side to pass around their front line before the Sholing back line cut it out.

Searle continued his fine performance, pitching a sublime delivery to Benny Read on the right, Read created a chance by sending to Mason but he failed to convert. Gunson caused more problems for Walton, whipping a looping ball along the home team’s goalmouth but nobody was home to bag the equaliser. Walton were keeping composed, content with maintaining possession until Rabbets forced Diyott into a turnover. 

Joshua Tobin and Eoin Boiger created two more chances for the home side as they looked to double their lead, one being a shot sent wide and a cross that couldn’t find a home. Sholing seemed to have found their equaliser but again it was stopped by the linesman, resulting in the subsequent penalty calls after Hesketh was brought down falling on deaf ears.

After constant pushing and another goalmouth scramble against the stern test of the home team, Sholing finally got their reward after Hesketh saw the keeper off his line and had a go from forty yards out, forcing the shot stopper to backtrack but he couldn’t get back in time and Sholing had secured a spectacular and well deserved equaliser.

The home team, though dejected responded well as did Sholing, resulting in the remaining moments of the game being nerve wracking for both sets of players and fans. As the game entered injury time it looked as though it was going to end in a fair draw. In the last minute Sholing hearts were sunk after Walton skipper Joseph Jones turned it in off a corner and the best efforts of the defender were unable to stop it.

Sholing threw everything they had left at the home side and fought hard to get a last minute leveller, including Searle coming up for a corner to hopefully create a moment of magic but Walton defended just as hard and secured the three points. Both teams gave as good as they got and a win for either side would have been justified. FT 2-1

Sholing unlucky to come off second best in a feisty derby at Mortgage Decisions Stadium.

Sholing, donning their red and white home strip, began attacking the left side goal and quickly asserted dominance in the midfield, Jake Flannigan sent the opposite numbers to the cleaners with a lovely turn. Sholing continued to dominate possession all over the field resulting in a blast from Seung Yang which failed to find the back of the net. The Winchester defenders had no rest bite with the Boatmen creating another chance, this time forcing a corner.

The home side won their individual battles with new arrival Mike Folivi drawing a free kick. Another new signing Pat Nash in between the sticks controlled his area well, keeping the opposing attackers from testing him. The visitors were denied again, courtesy of a courageous goal line clearance from Joe Rabbets. Harry Taylor wasn’t letting himself get beat either, sprinting to cut off a ball that the Winchester forward was eyeing up. Sholing had another chance after some great link up play with Charlie Gunson receiving the ball down the wing but couldn’t find an end product to his cross.

Winchester had a rare chance but George-Milner Smith was equal to it and repeated his heroics by heading away the resulting corner which Nash was quick to thank him for.The man in the goal pulled off his own heroics soon after, sending a swirling Winchester shot away for another chance. Folivi was in the action again when he attempted an overhead kick which pressured the away keeper into a quick thinking save. The away side had a penalty shout after apparent contact by Gunson but the referee gave nothing.Folivi found himself on the end of another cross but only found the advertising boards on top of the stands. After an away free kick, Milner-Smith put all his power behind the ball and hoofed it straight up the other end.

We had one more chance before the interval after the Winchester keeper had parried and several boatmen attackers scrambled until the shot came from

Zidane Akers but failed to convert. The final chance of the half fell the way of the visitors but Smith was there again to curtail it. HT 0-0

As the second half got underway, Winchester took a desperate shot and found the marquee instead of the net. We had our first chance of the half after Folivi appeared again, pouncing on a lapse of concentration by the visitors, causing the Winchester keeper to come out and claim it.

The away side got a break when under pressure from Benny Reed the away forward went down and the ref pointed to the spot. IK Hill slotted down the middle and gave his team the lead. The Boatmen attempted to bite back immediately after Folivi and Akkers linked up well, forcing the visiting back line to put their bodies on the line. After a spell of dominance from the away side, Jake Flannigan took it upon himself and headed the ball away and sprinted to it to help the home team up the field. Sholing were reduced to ten men after Harry Taylor was sent off, The team in red and white knew they had to work harder now and they were quickly got back to the Winchester area but failed to find the leveller.

Winchester put in their ferocity after a tough tackle on Seung Yang by Danny King, Yang put it behind him and dragged a shot just wide. Milner Smith and Flannigan posed the last line of defence after Jake stopped a certain Winchester second. Folivi continued to be a thorn in the away team’s side, creating a corner after his shot from the left whisked away. Another home chance fell the way of Max Bustamante this time from the right which nearly nestled in the near post.

We pushed and pushed in the effort to get a late equaliser but Winchester stood firm and defended well and in the end the man advantage was crucial. FT 0-1

Sholing give Winchester a taste of their own medicine in deserved derby victory.

With goals from both the new and old guard and having limited their opposition to half chances, Sholing put in a performance to match the sun in the sky and secure 2-0 derby day win.

Plenty of Sholing faithful had made their way up for the derby, looking to help in revenge on Winchester after their victory at the Mortgage Decisions stadium earlier in the season.

After Sholing started proceedings, an immediate challenge was presented to the Winchester keeper Luke Cairney, thanks to a over the top through ball from Jake Hesketh which allowed Michael Folivi to get in behind the defence.

Winchester’s Trevor Coburn began running down the right wing towards Pat Nash’s goal but with pressure from Harry Taylor, he was forced him into taking the shot earlier than planned, resulting in it flying high and wide.

From a corner, the home side managed to scupper an open goal after some instinctive tackling from the Boatmen and some quick reactions from Nash.

Two chances then came to IK Hill of the home side, who took both prematurely when he had plenty more time and other options who were in a better position, but his decision led both shots to land safely into Nash’s gloves.

The Boatmen were first to find the net and as per standard it was Folivi that turned in to the roof of the net, he can thank Joe Rabbets for taking multiple players on and allowing the former Watford man to give the visitors the lead and take his own tally to fifteen.

Aside from some off chances from Winchester and some tough tackling, the first half lacked any more entertainment. HT0:1

Winchester had the early dominance in the second period, having managed to deliver several innocuous balls that turned into serious challenges to Sholing’s lead.

The heavy contact didn’t subside after the break either with both sides not afraid to put all the effort in to gain and regain possession.

Winchester again missed a open net, this time their centre back blasted over the bar, having attempted a half volley and with Nash being in the other corner of the goal.

Folivi and Rabbets combined again, millimeters from the home goal. After Rabbets had drawn the keeper to him after dummying, Folivi took an unnecessary touch which allowed Cairney to recover and deflect it away.

Cairney keeper had little time to take a breather as it seemed the Sholing ultras, behind the goal to which their team was attacking, were getting into the Winchester heads.

The second was found with a free kick from Daniel Mason which went underneath in the wall, straight into the bottom left corner, leaving Cairney stranded and fuming and Winchester couldn’t find even a consolation. FT 0-2