Sholing 1-1 Bashley

Scorers : Rob Flooks 16 / Cameron Beard 39 (pen)

Date: Thursday 13 April 2023, 7:45pm – Southern League Division 1 South

Venue:  Imperial Homes Stadium  Attendance: 134

Sholing : Theo Widger, TJ Cuthbertson, Jordan Rose (Marv McLean 73), Rob Flooks, Dan Miller, Leon Baker, Brad Targett (Jake Cope 31), Byron Mason ©, Lee Wort, Sami Makhloufi (Wayne Robinson 56), Dom Panesar-Dower.  Unused subs : Dean Frampton, Josh Batt

Bookings : Leon Baker, Brad Targett, Lee Wort, Jake Cope, Wayne Robinson, Marc Diaper

Bashley : Ross Casey, Jamie Webber, Sam Davidson, Cameron Beard, Sam Jackson, Billy Lowes, Brad Morris © (Jake Adams 30), Harry McGrath, Adam Grange (Toby Bailey 56), Lewis Ross (Joe Smith 93), Jack Lovell. Unused subs : Dan Thompson, Matt Tubbs

Bookings : Sam Davidson, Jamie Webber, Cameron Beard, Jake Adams

Man of the Match : Rob Flooks

For the second home game in a row, Sholing were denied by a debatable penalty award. Rob Flooks gave us the lead, but a Bashley spot kick levelled things up in a hectic game where the referee issued 10 yellow cards.

Team News : Sholing were without Dan Mason, Ryan Gosney, Charlie Wagstaffe & Owen Roundell, so 16 year old Theo Widger continued in goal after his impressive debut.  Dan Miller & Jordan Rose returned after lengthy spells out and in reality, they both could have done with more recovery time, but needs must with a depleted squad.  Dom Panesar-Dower was drafted in and Byron Mason started the game in a more advanced role than usual.

Sholing groundstaff & the first team management worked miracles to get the game on, removing vast quantities of standing water from the recent never ending downpours.

Was a high tempo opening from both sides, but neither keeper was called into action until the 16th minute when the Boatmen took the lead.  An inswinging corner from the left by Sami Makhloufi was met by the head of ROB FLOOKS, there was a scramble on the line, but the linesman instantly raised his flag to signal a goal.

Bashley came back into the contest, starting to dominate possession, but still without an end product to worry Theo.  Brad Targett became the latest injury concern, going off holding his hamstring on 31 mins with Jake Cope taking his place.

McGrath was played into the right channel and Leon Baker hauled him down from behind, the contact appeared to be outside the box, but the referee pointed to the spot.  Theo Widger guessed the right way, but the well struck low effort by Cameron Beard went inside the post.

Sholing had to survive some pinball in our box just before half time, but a block by Miller and then quick reactions by Theo kept Bashley out.   HT 1-1

Bashley came out for the second half looking even more manic than they were in the first.  The visitors had two good chances early on, but the finishes reflected their hyper state as both were dragged wide when well placed.

Things were getting more silly with some over the top reactions to contact on Bashley players, with Ross inducing laughter from the crowd after screaming & rolling around when not even touched. Suffice to say, he was very quickly back on his feet when he didn't get a foul.

A defence splitting pass put Lee Wort into a race with the outrushing keeper, who got there first outside the box, with the ball looking as though it had come off his hand, albeit accidently.

We should have had a penalty on 60 minutes as Wayne Robinson was clattered from behind in the 6 yard box, but the referee was unmoved.    Things boiled over when a Bashley player fell foul of another OTT fall and he came off worse against the pitchside fence, injuring himself in the process.

A bit of composure was needed by Sholing on 68 minutes after Jake Cope made a great run down the left wing, got to the byline and picked out the arriving Wayne Robinson, but his first time effort was smashed wide from 10 yards.

The game was in the balance and the visitors were denied by a great save by Theo Widger with 3 minutes of the 90 remaining. A shot from left side of the box was superbly tipped onto the post by the young keeper.   Down the other end, the ball broke to Lee Wort on the edge of the area and his fierce effort was blocked in the 6 yard box.

Despite the oohs & ahhs of the Bashley bench, a shot deep into added time was put 10 yards or more wide and a messy game was finally brought to an end in the 97th minute.   The result isn't great for either side, but Bashley were absolutely desperate for the win to try to get into the last play off spot, which is now out of their hands.

Was a hard fought point for Sholing who despite the bookings, did well to keep our tempers and we need 1 win from our final 3 games to guarantee 2nd place.   FT 1-1

Not yet received Dave's thoughts on last night's game, but the ones from the Bideford match below seem appropriate...

Dave Diaper : "No complaints at all with the 1-1 draw, I thought it was a fair reflection of the game.  However, it was unfortunate that most of the talk from the supporters would be about the man in the middle, rather than about both teams"

Next Game : Sholing v Tavistock - Saturday 15 April 3pm - Southern League

Photos courtesy of EspieJaz, swipe to view pics :