Sholing 2-0 Cinderford Town

Scorers : Marv McLean 17, Dan Mason 90+2 (pen)

Date: Tuesday 31 January 2023, 7:45pm – Southern League Division 1 South

Venue:  Imperial Homes Stadium  Attendance: 100

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean, Rob Flooks, Dan Miller ©, Charlie Wagstaffe, Leon Baker, Sami Makhloufi, Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Jake Cope (Wayne Robinson 76).  Unused subs : Josh Batt, Dean Frampton, Owen Roundell, Kamil Adediran

Bookings : Sami Makhloufi, Marv Mclean

Cinderford Town : Ellis Parker, Will Emery, Tristan Haswell, Brandon Liggett, Dion Molyneux ©, Jack Bartman, Felix Miles, Mitchell McCann (Jack Freeman 85), Michael Symons, Finley Bell (Stuart Fleetwood 75), Harry Emmett. Unused subs : Dan Barnard, Jamie Bremner, Will Morford

Bookings : Stuart Fleetwood 

Man of the Match : Marv McLean

Boatmen opened up a 11 point lead at the top after a hardfought win against a lively Cinderford side. Marv got his first of the season, but in an even game, we had to wait until the 92nd minute to make sure of the 3 points through Dan Mason's penalty.

Team News : Byron Mason missed out through injury, so Charlie Wagstaffe came into midfield & Dan Miller took the captain's armband.  Promoted from the U23's to the first team bench was 20 year old Kamil Adediran.  Cinderford players & volunteers showed impressive commitment to make the long drive without the aid of a coach and still had a full bench.

Sholing went looking for our usual early goal and came close on 4 minutes when Sami threaded the ball through for Lee Wort to run at a backpedaling defence, but his shot from the edge of the box went over the angle of post & bar.

The visitors were working hard on and off the ball and could have taken the lead on 13 minutes. A combination of the woodwork and Gosney's reflex save denying what looked a certain goal.

We made the breakthrough on 17 minutes when TJ lifted the ball into the box for Dan Mason to turn and knock the ball across the keeper towards the far post to the arriving MARV MCLEAN to tap into the empty net.

Game remained even, Cinderford having more possession, but Sholing looking more likely to score.  Dan Mason hit a crossfield pass into the path of Jake Cope who hit it on the run, but his shot whistled past the near post.   Cinderford had a decent chance of their own after a quick build up, but again the finish was lacking.

Twice just before half time, Sholing players got behind the Cinderford defence, but firstly Jake Cope was denied by a good save by Parker.  Then Lee Wort appeared to be tugged back as he was about to shoot inside the box, making him miss his kick, but the penalty appeals were waved away.   Parker then made an impressive tip over the bar from Charlie Wagstaffe's header.  HT 1-0

Cinderford stung the palms of Gosney with a well struck shot that the keeper had to push away two minutes after the restart.  

There was a lot of endeavour by both sides, but efforts on goal were lacking for the bulk of the second half. Cinderford were playing the ball around at pace, but Sholing were defending & covering well.  Leon Baker did well to win the ball back outside the visitors penalty area, break to the byline and fizz a great cross into the 6 yard box that only needed a touch, but didn't get one.

Was a similar story on the other flank, a lovely defence splitting pass from Sami found Marv to get to the byline, but again, the ball into the middle evaded anyone in red & white.

Rob Flooks met a corner at the far post with a powerful header that the keeper pushed round the upright as Sholing finished the game stronger and made the game safe in added time.

Firstly it looked as though Sami had been fouled as he ran into the box from the corner flag and then Wayne Robinson was up-ended, with the assistant raising his flag for the foul and the ref pointed to the spot.  DAN MASON smacked the penalty high into the net for his 21st goal of the season. 

Boatmen's 17th win out of 22 games played this season and our 11th clean sheet.  FT 2-0

Dave Diaper : "Another tough game and 3 more points in the bag, against a well organised Cinderford team.  Their work-rate made it difficult for us to really establish a foothold in the game. However, credit to our boys for the way we stuck at it and as they always say... Good teams find a way.  Now onto Saturday's home game versus Westbury, who are only one of two teams to beat us in the league so far this season.  So we expect another tough game and your support is very appreciated."

Next Game : Sholing v Westbury United - Saturday 4 February 3pm - Southern League

Photos courtesy of EspieJaz, swipe to view pics :