Willand Rovers 0-1 Sholing
Scorers : Rob Flooks 45
Date: Saturday 8 April 2023, 3:00pm – Southern League Division 1 South
Venue: Stan Robinson Stadium, Silver Street Attendance: 143
Willand Rovers : George Burton, Josh Searle, Bailey Kempster, Ryan Guppy, Kieran Bailey, Nick Milton, Oliver Bray, Ashton Hewitt © (Lewis Hill 82), Ben Griffith (Josh Baker 60), Jack Rice-Lethaby, Alfie Moulden (Douglas Camilo 60). Unused subs : Adam Kelly, Adam Poole
Bookings : Jack Rice-Lethaby
Sholing : Theo Widger, TJ Cuthbertson, Brad Targett, Rob Flooks, Owen Roundell (Wayne Robinson 76), Leon Baker, Charlie Wagstaffe, Byron Mason ©, Lee Wort, Sami Makhloufi, Jake Cope. Unused subs : Marv McLean, Dan Mason, Ryan Harfield, Dan Miller
Bookings : Owen Roundell, Leon Baker
It was a debut to remember for 16 year old goalkeeper, Theo Widger, as he put in a man of the match performance to ensure the Boatmen left Willand with 3 points. Rob Flooks was also superb and his goal on the stroke of half time broke the deadlock.
Team News : There was a welcome return to the skipper, Byron Mason, but Dan Miller, Dan Mason, Marv Mclean & Jordan Rose all watched on as it was a game too soon with a busy easter schedule ahead. With Ryan Gosney suspended, Dave Diaper put his trust in U18 keeper, Theo Widger.
It was a warm & sunny start to the game at the always well looked after Willand Rovers ground. The home side flashed an angled shot well wide, but Sholing went close to scoring on 6 mins. Rob Flooks met a corner with a downward header that was kicked off the line by the defender on the post.
Rice had a shot from distance for Willand, that skimmed the roof of the net, before Leon Baker hit a daisy cutter from outside the box that whistled just wide.
Theo Widger was called into action around the half hour mark, firstly punching clear a freekick, before palming away an angled shot. He then pulled off a brilliant save to tip a shot over the bar when it looked all the way a goal.
Rob Flooks was denied by the Willand keeper pushing a dipping header over the bar, but from the corner on the stroke of half time, he made the breakthrough. Jake Cope's deep inswinging corner to the far post was met on the volley by ROB FLOOKS who had peeled away from his marker to score his 5th of the season. HT 0-1
With the sun now behind thickening cloud, it was a more chilly second half and Theo Widger made another important save 5 minutes after the restart. A ball into the right channel found Bray to race onto, but his low shot was well saved by a reaction stretch of his leg by Theo.
The Boatmen fans in attendance were continuing to give Theo lots of positive support and started chanting "Sholing's Number 1, Sholing Sholing's Number 1".
Brad Targett hit a 25 yard freekick past the far post as chances were at a premium for both sides. Lee Wort made a lung busting run from the edge of his own box and cleverly slotted the ball into the path of Jake Cope, but he scuffed his effort wide when well placed.
Sholing were defending resolutely with Byron & Flooks winning most things in the air and everyone working hard to protect the lead. Willand had a lot of pressure, but apart from a flick header that went over, couldn't fashion enough chances to grab an equaliser.
Boatmen probably should have extended our lead in the dying moments, both times through Leon Baker. Firstly his run into the box saw a strange moment where the ball was stuck between himself and a defender on the ground, with both desperately trying & failing to make contact with it, but the Willand keeper put an end to the comedy by stepping in to grab the ball.
Another run from deep by Leon saw him go round the keeper, but he was pushed wide into a tight angle and his shot hit the side netting.
The final whistle brought the Boatmen another 3 points as we look to keep the pressure on Totton. Great to see the squad & bench all clamour to congratulate Theo and push him forward to take the acclaim of the supporters. A day the young keeper will never forget. FT 0-1
Dave Diaper : "Great 1-0 win on the road against a battling Willand side who made us work hard for the 3 points. So proud of the lads to stick with it and on occasions had to dig in to ensure the Victory.
Special mention goes to Theo (16) who made his first start due to Gosney's suspension and had an amazing debut.
This proves that Sholing FC are not phased in giving young players the opportunity to play in the Southern League, so the pathway within the Club to progress is working.
We now look forward to tomorrow’s game against play off contenders Bashley, who themselves have had a great season back in the Southern League. Come along and support the Boatmen!"
Next Game : Sholing v Bashley - Easter Monday 3pm
Photos courtesy of EspieJaz, swipe to view pics :
