Sholing 0-2 Merthyr Town

Scorers :  Ricardo Rees 43, Gethyn Hill 54

Date: Saturday 23 December 3pm – Southern League Premier South

Venue: Imperial Homes Stadium  Attendance: 231

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, Brad Targett, Marv McLean, Owen Roundell (Luka Chalwell 60), Dan Miller, Byron Mason ©, Charlie Wagstaffe (Charlie Davis 60), Keane Anderson, Dan Mason, Jake Hesketh (Jake Cope 70), Karlos Gregory. Unused subs : Rob Flooks, Mathias Tepe

Yellow Card:  Brad Targett, Dan Mason

Merthyr Town : Will Fuller, Callum Ryan-Phillips, Thomas Handley, Frazer Thomas, Alex John (Liam Angel 56), Ricardo Rees, Oliver Mehew (Joe Woodiwiss 82), Gethyn Hill (Lewis Twamley 79), Noah Smerdon, Matt Harris ©, Nick Rhodes.  Unused Subs : Tom Stokes, Kieran Evans

Yellow Card:  Frazer Thomas, Alex John

Man of the Match:  Marv McLean

Statistics:  Possession - 58% / 42%. Shots on Target - 5 / 5.  Shots off Target - 10 / 2. 

Boatmen were left rueing missed chances as a more ruthless Merthyr took home the 3 points.

Team News : George Milner-Smith & Jake Flannigan were out injured, but Brad Targett returned from suspension and Dan Miller came back into the starting line-up. All in all, was probably our strongest available squad so far this season.

There was a strong gusty wind whistling around the Imperial Homes Stadium that didn't relent for the 90 mins. Both sides took a while to get used to the conditions, with the first chances of the game seeing a Merthyr header go over and then Dan Mason taking an early shot that went wide.

A succession of corners to Sholing ended with the ball falling to Dan Mason at the far post, but his close range shot was well saved by Fuller.  Gosney made a save from Handley before Brad Targett raced into the box and towards the near post where his cut back came off the knee of a Merthyr player facing his own goal, but he was relieved to see his keeper grab the ball near the line.

Boatmen continued to create openings and a nice link-up saw Targett flick the ball to D-Dan, who returned it to Brad with a back heel to send him into the area, but his angled shot was straight at the keeper.  Fuller was then called into action to dive full length to push a curling shot by Keane Anderson round the post.

So with the Boatmen in the ascendancy, it was disappointing to find ourselves behind at the break. We switched off for moment from a throw-in down the left, allowing a quick interchange of passes for Smerdon to find Ricardo Rees near the penalty spot to sweep the ball first time into the top corner.   HT 0-1

Jake Hesketh had a shot go across goal and wide after the restart, but there was more clinical finishing by the visitors on 55 minutes as they extended their lead.  We were dispossesed in the middle of the park and Merthyr quickly found Gethyn Hill on the edge of the box to turn and fire into far bottom corner with a great strike.

The visitors controlled the game for a period after that goal, with Frazer Thomas, especially impressive in carrying the ball forward.

Boatmen started to create chances again, with Dan Miller putting a powerful header inches wide of the upright.  Then Luka Chalwell turned smartly in the area, but the shot was placed straight at the keeper.

A cross-cum-shot from the left wing got carried in the wind and thumped off the far post and came back out as ladyluck evaded us.  A nice flick header from Luka Chalwell went agonisingly wide of the far post as it wasn't to be for the Boatmen and 4th place Merthyr made the long journey home a pleasant one with 3 points.  FT 0-2

Dos : "In the context of where we are as a club and where Merthyr currently are, I was pleased with our performance, with the only difference between the two sides, the quality of the finishing.   I'd worry more if we weren't creating chances, but at the moment we rely too much on a bit of magic from D-Dan to get us goals"

"The back 3 did well, but it was criminal goal to concede just before half time from a quick throw-in, having said that, it was an excellent first time finish. The Merthyr second goal was also a top finish, but we defended with tenacity and the work-rate was good"

"Merthyr will definitely be up there in the promotion picture and it was interesting to hear their management speak of having 2 players for every position.  As it's our first season at this level against sides with bigger budgets, we have to live within our means, but exciting things are coming during the summer"

"The priority is to stay up, games against teams like Merthyr won't define our season, the ones against similar clubs to ourselves will, but you only have to see how someone like Swindon Supermarine have turned their season around and now are top of the form table, to know how competitive this division is."

"I have to be honest, the biggest disappointment for me yesterday was the attendance. We need the people of Sholing to back this club if we are to move forward.  Some of that is on us to improve facilities and be better with engaging with the community and that's our plan"

"It was difficult to pick a man of the match yesterday, but Marv has been playing with a bruised rib and chest infection and that commitment is appreciated."

"It's a tough game on Boxing Day against a Gosport Borough side that have been impressively managed by the young joint-management team.  They've had a terrific start to the season and have a strong squad, but it's a game we have to enjoy and we will give it our best and your support always helps push us on"

Next Home Game : Sholing v Bracknell Town - New Years Day 3pm - Southern League

Photos courtesy of EspieJaz, swipe to view pics :