Sholing 2-2 Hendon

Scorer : Lee Wort 45, Brad Targett 54 / Billy Leonard 43, Shaun Lucien 45+2

Date: Tuesday 16 April 2024 - 7:45pm – Southern League Premier South

Venue: Imperial Homes Stadium  Attendance: 254

Sholing : Charlie Searle (Jake Hesketh 29), George Milner-Smith, Jake Flannigan Leon Baker (Charlie Davis 51), Dan Miller, Byron Mason ©, Brad Targett, Karlos Gregory, Dan Mason, Lee Wort (Alex MacAllister 72), Billy Stedman.  Unused subs : Luka Chalwell, Keane Anderson

Hendon : Hafed Al Droubi, Dave Diedhiou, Olatunbosun Adenola, Blaise Riley-Snow, Dan Matsuzaka, Mert Apat, Shaun Lucien, Billy Leonard, Joe White ©, Niko Muir-Marchant, Luca Allinson-Stalham.  Subs : Hamza Bin-Semakula, Kai Omoko Brosnan, Kurtis Cumberbatch, Lucas Perry

Man of the Match:  George Milner-Smith (but every player was superb)

Despite playing an hour with an outfielder in goal, a brilliant gutsy performance by the Boatmen claimed a vital point to set up Saturday's huge home game.

Team News : With Bert & Theo injured, we had to get special dispensation from the Southern League to bring in an emergency keeper and a day of hectic activity behind the scenes concluded with us signing Charlie Searle with only 10 minutes to spare before the registration deadline.  The former Havant, Totton & Salisbury keeper kindly stepping in to help us.  Owen Roundell was suspended and Marv McLean failed a fitness test as we played our 5th game in 7 days.

In a cagey opening, neither side created a chance of note as Sholing attacked the top goal where the impressive new stand is rapidly taking shape.   Lee Wort had a shot saved & Dan Miller couldn't get any power into a header, when on the half hour mark, Charlie Searle pulled up with a hamstring injury and had to come off.  George Milner-Smith took over in goal.

Some nice build up saw Stedman find Dan Mason, whose well struck shot was saved.  Then D-Dan & Worty linked up, but Hendon scrambled away the cross into the box.  Boatmen were on top, but a long clearance out of defence by the visitors set up their goal when an awkward bounce allowed Billy Leonard in behind to slot past the makeshift keeper.  

Was an instant response by the Boatmen as Billy Stedman fed LEE WORT and he fired low past the diving keeper.  It was a softly awarded freekick just outside our box that Hendon retook the lead with in stoppage time. Shaun Lucien curling his effort over the wall and just inside the upright.   HT 1-2

Sholing came roaring out from the restart and should have had a penalty inside a minute when Dan Mason turned his man and was brought down, but to everyone's astonishment, the referee said no penalty.   The visitors hit the outside of the post before Hesketh found D-Dan who's shot across the keeper took a nick to take it agonisingly wide.

Brad Targett crossed from the left, it looked to be on a plate for a Sholing head in the 6 yard box, but somehow the ball seemed to evade everyone.  On 55 minutes we got the equaliser when Billy Stedman swung in a freekick from the right flank and it was met with a diving header by BRAD TARGETT for his 13th goal of the season.

Roared on by the crowd, it was then wave after wave of Sholing attack as we played some great stuff with the players digging really deep to close down quickly and chase every ball.  

Brad shot over, Byron had a header well saved and it looked like we got the winner as we entered added time, but Hesketh's shot was met with a flying block out of no where by Hendon defender. Karlos also had a shot blocked in a crowded goalmouth and a succession of corners saw scrambles in a frantic finish.

But then just before the final whistle, George had to make a great save to stop a heartbreaking winner from the visitors.  A fantastic game ended even as the Boatmen left everything on the pitch and needing one more win from our last 2 games to ensure safety.  You have to be there on Saturday !!   FT 2-2

Next Home Game : Sholing v Swindon Supermarine - Saturday 20 April 3pm