Sholing 4-0 Exmouth Town

Scorers : Wayne Robinson 24, Dan Mason 34 (pen), Brad Targett 58, Jake Cope 74

Date: Saturday 5 November 2022, 3pm – Southern League Division 1 South

Venue:  Imperial Homes Stadium  Attendance: 265

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean (Wayne Robinson 19), Owen Roundell, Dan Miller, Rob Flooks, Brad Targett,  Byron Mason © (Charlie Wagstaffe 45), Dan Mason (Sami Makhloufi 80), Lee Wort, Jake Cope.  Unused subs : Josh Batt, Lochlan Colquhoun

Bookings :

Exmouth Town : Rob Powell, James Richards, Karl Riddell (Harry Walford 23), Mark Lever, David Rowe ©, Dan Cullen, Ethan Slater (Joshua Bissett 64), Callum Shipton, Ace High (Ben Steer 54), Jordan Harris, Levi Landricombe.  Unused subs : Jordan Casey, Max Gillard

Bookings : Harry Walford

MJ Farrington Man of the Match : Brad Targett

Sholing made it 9 wins out of 12 to go 6 points clear at the top after a brilliant performance to beat 2nd place Exmouth Town.  A fantastic display of attacking football included 3 wonder goals as the Boatmen put on a show.

Team News : TJ & Copey came back into the starting line-up, with Batt & Sami on the bench. Newly promoted Exmouth have had an impressive start to the season, although a bit like ourselves, had stuttered a bit in recent weeks.

The rain shifted from drizzle to heavy and back again throughout the match as the wind whipped it down the length of the ground from the direction of the clubhouse.  There was a good size crowd for such an awful afternoon, with a good & friendly contingent who had made the long trip from Devon.

Boatmen started strongly and were not to let up the pressure on our opponents for the entire game. On 2 minutes, good hold up play by Dan Mason in the box, saw him lift the ball over his shoulder for Wort to run onto, but his shot from a tight angle was into the side netting.    The full backs were getting forward and especially TJ, who put in a pinpoint cross for Dan Mason to meet with a powerful header, that the keeper did well to parry away.

Jake Cope found himself in space to the left of the area and his shot beat the keeper, but thudded back off the crossbar.  Rob Powell in the Exmouth goal was keeping busy, and denied a fierce shot by D-Dan on 15 mins.  Exmouth had a couple of long range shots go harmlessly off target as Sholing remained on top. Marv went on run down the left, but pulled up with a hammy pull and immediately came off with Wayne Robinson coming on, with Brad going to left back.

It was an immediate impact by WAYNE ROBINSON who put us ahead on 24 mins with a brilliant strike.  The ball was cleared out the area to Wayne, who controlled first time on his thigh and hit a dipping volley from 22 yards over the keeper and into the top corner!  If you saw Tielemans goal for Leicester at Everton, it was like that, maybe better!

The pressure from Sholing was unrelenting and we extended our lead on 34 mins when Lee Wort out-muscled a defender in a race into the box, with the Exmouth player hauling him down for a penalty. DAN MASON took his time, before dispatching the spot kick for his 256th goal in his 499th game for the club.

The quality of football from the Boatmen in tricky conditions continued to be impressive, although we were dealt another injury blow when Byron also appeared to pull up with a hamstring issue, with Charlie Wagstaffe coming on in his place just before the break.  HT 2-0

Despite losing our two most experienced players in the first half, the side didn't miss a beat and looked just as in control and dangerous going forward as we did for most of the first 45.  TJ made a good run on the overlap down the right, but his cut back couldn't find a teammate as the rain got heavier.

On 58 minutes we made it 3-0 with a goal that will live long in the memory of all who witnessed it. BRAD TARGETT won the ball just inside our half and set off on a run down the left wing, beating one man, then another, then another, then another, before cutting into the box onto his right foot and smashing a shot across the keeper and into the far corner!  A worldy of a goal.

We were rampant now and almost made it 4 when Wayne Robinson was fed by Lee Wort to go clear and as the keeper came out, he lifted the ball over him, but it bounced agonisingly wide of the far post.  Then from a freekick 5 yards outside the area, Lee Wort's hit took a deflection and smacked against the post.

Was only a matter of time until we scored again and did so on 74 mins when Owen Roundell passed to JAKE COPE 25 yards out and hit a measured effort that beat the keeper all ends up to find the net.  Another great finish! 

From a corner, Owen Roundell had a looping header deceive the keeper as it brushed against the front of the bar and came down to be caught.  Then space opened up for Charlie Wagstaffe to try his luck, but his shot went narrowly wide.  

Lee Wort may not have scored today, but his runs and sublime control were causing Exmouth all sorts of problems.  His strike partner was doing what he always does, taking the knocks and bruises to allow his teammates to play off him.  I've not mentioned Gosney or our defence in this report, because they honestly had little to do, such was the control the entire team had.  A superb shift from everyone and great entertainment for the supporters.  FT 4-0

Dave Diaper : "A terrific performance from the lads yesterday, to win 4-0 against 2nd placed Exmouth and in the manner we did it was truly amazing. Big shout out to our fans as well who braved the wet weather to support us."

"A big thank you to all the volunteers behind the scenes, the work you all do is amazing. You are all part of the Sholing Family"

Diapes spoke to Cliff Pledge of Radio Solent, click here to listen

Next Game : Sholing v Lymington Town - Saturday 11 November 3pm - Southern League

Photos courtesy of EspieJaz, swipe to view pics :