Sholing 1-0 AFC Totton
Scorers : Brad Targett 29
Date: Tuesday 7 February 2023, 7:45pm – Southern League Division 1 South
Venue: Imperial Homes Stadium Attendance: 654
Sholing : Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean, Rob Flooks, Dan Miller, Leon Baker (Owen Roundell 82), Brad Targett (Jake Cope 82), Byron Mason © (Charlie Wagstaffe 91), Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Sami Makhloufi. Unused subs : Dean Frampton, Ryan Harfield
Bookings : Rob Flooks, Brad Targett, Byron Mason, Lee Wort
AFC Totton : Charlie Searle, Benedict Read, Jordan Ragguette, Mike Carter ©, Charlie Kennedy, Luke Hallett, Jack Masterton (Matt Burrows 60), Adam Tomasso (Charlie Davis 84), Scott Rendall, Ethan Taylor, Tommy Wright (Conor Whiteley 79). Unused subs : Ben Jefford, Frederick Read
Bookings : Benedict Read, Ethan Taylor, Jordan Ragguette
Man of the Match : Ryan Gosney
Boatmen completed the double over local rivals AFC Totton with a battling performance to extend our lead at the top to 12 points and go 15 games unbeaten. Brad Targett got the only goal and Ryan Gosney put in an inspired display of goalkeeping.
Team News : TJ, Brad and the skipper, Byron, returned to the starting line-up, although they and several other players were short of full fitness after bouts of illness in recent days. Wayne Robinson missed out through injury. AFC Totton's expensively assembled squad included former Sholing FA Vase winner, Mike Carter and recent aquisition Tommy Wright, the former Sutton United & England C international forward. Also former Boatmen, Conor Whiteley and joining him on the bench was Matt Burrows, who the stags paid a 5 figure transfer fee for to secure him from Weymouth.
Was a big crowd in attendance on a freezing cold evening. By the looks of both the current & former professionals, former Sholing players as well as other well known Non League faces, you could have put together a very decent team from those watching the game!
It was Totton who made a fast start, with Gosney starting his busy night at the office in the 2nd minute, beating away a shot towards his near post. The following save from Gos was far from routine as Tomasso smashed a shot from 25 yards that took a big deflection, but somehow, Gos changed direction to tip away!
Took until 20 minutes for Sholing to have an effort on goal, Brad Targett trying an acrobatic overhead kick from just inside the area, but the ball dropped onto the roof of the net. Before the game, Brad said he had a good feeling he'd score tonight, he wasn't wrong!...
Marv McLean continued his long career of tormenting right backs to race to the byline and cut the ball back into the area where Wort couldn't connect, but with the ball almost behind him, BRAD TARGETT spun and lashed in a left foot shot off the underside of the bar.
The goal seemed to knock the wind out of the visitors for a spell and Sholing probably should have extended our lead on 40 mins. Sami's freekick from the left saw the ball floated to the far post where 4 Sholing players were converging with Totton appealing for an offside flag that never came, but Dan & Byron seemed to put each other off and the ball was put over the bar.
Totton regrouped and came again strong in the last moments of the first half. Both Masterton and Rendall were set up in good positions, but shot straight at Ryan Gosney. HT 1-0
The pitch had a white covering of frost by the time the second half started and Totton had strong shouts for penalty as Taylor went to ground from Gosney's attempt to get the ball. Referee waved away the appeals. Taylor shot into the side netting soon after and the Boatmen were finding it hard to get the ball out of our half. However on 66 mins, Dan Mason hit a fierce shot from 30 yards that whistled narrowly wide.
Another superb save by Gosney on 71 mins when Wright's flick header forced him into a full length dive to tip the ball round the far post. No denying that Totton had the vast majority of possession and were playing some good stuff with Mike Carter pulling the strings. Boatmen continued to put their bodies on the line to block and close down with every player busting a gut, almost literally in TJ's case.
Burrows used his pace a couple of times down the left to cut in and shoot, but off target. It was backs to the wall stuff from Sholing in the final 10 minutes and once again we had to thank Gosney for an unbelievable reflex save. Rendall got a touch to a ball into the box, but Gos flicked it away at point blank range with the ball dropping down towards the far post where under pressure a Totton player couldn't force it in. It ensured his 142nd clean sheet for the club.
The final chance fell to Carter, but he lashed a half volley over the bar. Sholing had to endure 7 minutes of added time but the final whistle was met by cheers from the Sholing support and respectful celebration by the players. This game won't decide promotion, but there's no denying it was a big 3 points for the Boatmen. FT 1-0
Dave Diaper : "Great shift put in by the lads, showed true grit and determination to hold onto a slender lead. Every player to a man played for each other and the badge. Special mention to those that played who were only at 50% and also to Gos who played exceptional. Also big thank you to all the fans that braved the freezing conditions and the hard work of our volunteers"
Next Game : Bristol Manor Farm v Sholing - Saturday 11 February 3pm - Southern League
Photos courtesy of EspieJaz, swipe to view pics :
