Scorers : Scott Hills 86 /  Dan Mason 15, 22 & 61, Byron Mason 71

Date: Tuesday 9 July April 2019 - 7:45pm - Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: HP Arena

Sholing players used: Aaron Whitmarsh, Lewis Dumper, TJ Cuthbertson, Owen Royl, Dean Faithful, Dan Miller, Owen Roundell, Byron Mason, Dan Mason, Aiden Radford, Brad Targett, Jake Hoole, Marlon Mason, Tobi Falodi, Lewis Willsher, Jack Nicholas, Conall Bark, Bertrand Gbezo, Jean-Pierre Alexander

Attendance:  68

Referee:  Peter Lowe   Assistants:  James Crascall & Nathan Crook

Dan Mason picked up exactly where he left off last season, by banging in a fine hat-trick as the Boatmen got their pre-season friendly fixtures underway at Wessex 1 Champions, AFC Stoneham.

Dave Diaper had a mixture of first team regulars, youngsters and trialists in this squad and gave all of them a run-out on a warm summer's evening on a dry pitch at the HP Arena.  It was a scrappy opening as the players got the rustyness out of their system, but soon Sholing started to find their legs with Brad Targett especially, showing his pace down the right side and it was from a surging run that the Boatmen took the lead on 15 minutes.  Brad sped down the right and cut into the area before pulling the ball back, where it eventually found Dan Mason to slot past a group of players and into the net from 15 yards.

On 22 minutes and the spectators were treated to a fantastic goal by D-Dan.  A corner was cleared to him just outside the area, he controlled and unleashed a measured volley that flashed inside the post.  Sholing continued to dominate the game, looking dangerous from set pieces and from a corner, Owen Roundell headed against the bar.   HT 0-2

It was no surprise when Dan Mason completed his hat-trick, when on 61 mins a quick freekick by Byron was controlled on his chest by Dan to get him beyond the defender and in one motion the lethal striker finished across the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

With multiple subs being used by both sides, the game lost a bit of its intensity, but on 71 mins, Sholing got a fourth when Jack Nicholas' inswinging corner was met with a flick header by Byron Mason that found the far bottom corner.   AFC Stoneham got a late consolation as the Boatmen defence waited for an offside flag that never came, allowing the ball to be squared to Hills to tap into the empty net. A good run-out for the squad as we build up fitness and sharpness over the coming pre-season games.  FT 1-4

Next Friendly : Solent University (Team Solent) v Sholing - Friday 12th July 7:45pm

Scorers : Dan Mason 74

Date: Saturday 10th August 2019 - 8pm - Emirates FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Venue: Mackoy Stadium

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean, Owen Roundell, Dean Faithfull, Owen Royl, Brad Targett (Alex Sawyer 46), Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Jamie Bulpitt, Marlon Mason (Aidan Radford).  Unused subs : Tobi Falodi, Shola Amiwero, Michael Okubote

Yellow Cards: Dean Faithfull & Byron Mason

Tadley Calleva: Jack Martin, Brad Neal, Richard Jones, Chris Morris, Keiron Mayhew, Tom Walsh, Tom Etheridge, Amie Kamden, Brett Denham [c], Darryl Phillips, Jordan Goater.  Subs : Adam Alliston, Jordan Holmes, Keiron Farmer, Chad Abrams

Yellow Cards:

Attendance: 162

Referee: Adam Baker  Assistants: ?

Dan Mason grabbed Sholing's winner in the 74th minute as the Boatmen progress in the Emirates FA Cup.  However, it was a tough first game of the season, with Tadley being resolute, well organised and limited Sholing to a handful of clear cut chances, with their keeper also pulling off an excellent penalty save.

Team News: Dan Miller & Jake Hoole were on holiday, as was Dave & Marc Diaper. Iain Calder took charge of a familiar looking Boatmen starting line-up, which only had the two new faces in it, although both are well known to Sholing fans... Centre back, Dean Faithfull, has returned to the club after playing for us in the 2015/16 season. Also returning is forward, Marlon Mason, after a season at Hamble Club. On the bench, Alex Sawyer was joined by four new signings.  Jamie Bulpitt was making his 200th appearance for the Boatmen.

The Mackoy Stadium (the new name for our ground) had seen a lot of hard work by volunteers in the two weeks leading up to tonight's game and was looking in good shape.  The bottom end of the ground was open due to the work on the new clubhouse, meaning the strong Southerly wind was whipping up the length of the pitch.  In front of a decent crowd, with quite a few groundhoppers in attendance, taking advantage of the late kick off to get in 2 or 3 FA Cup matches in one day, it was a cagey opening to the game.

First chance came on 10 minutes as Dan Mason set the ball into the path of Byron Mason, but his shot from 15 yards just cleared the bar.  Marlon Mason & Marv were getting into some good positions on either flank, but the final balls evaded teammates in the middle. Marv had a strong appeal for a penalty turned down when he appeared to be caught from behind as he crossed, however, a few minutes later, Sholing were awarded a spot kick.  Owen Royl latched onto a flick-on as he entered the area and was tripped for a clear penalty. Dan Mason fired his effort low to the keeper's right, but Jack Martin did very well to dive full length to push it round the upright. That boosted the confidence of Tadley, who were defending well in numbers, although not offering much going forward as a result. HT 0-0

An off-colour Brad Targett, suffering from illness, made way for Alex Sawyer for the restart. Alex went into midfield, with Royl going to left back and Marv pushed forward.  It was a similar pattern for the start of the second half, with Tadley energetic in not giving Sholing space, plus the flow of the game wasn't helped by a lot of stoppages.  Sholing had a short period of sustained pressure, with Dan Mason firing off a trademark cross shot on the turn, but it fizzed across the keeper and inches wide.   Then following a corner, the ball was played back into the far post where Owen Roundell did well to hook it back goalwards, but the wind seemed to effect the flight of the ball, with it landing on the roof of the net.

On 65 minutes, the Boatmen put together a nice passing move down the right, which set up Jamie Bulpitt for a fierce shot from the edge of the area that just went over.  Game remained a bit niggly with Sholing players feeling they weren't getting the fair share of decisions their way, but on 74 minutes, with Tadley probably starting to think of a replay, the winning goal arrived.  Dean Faithfull hit a long diagonal into the area where DAN MASON had peeled away from his marker and did superbly to get his head on the ball and direct it back goalwards. Jack Martin got his hand to the effort, but wasn't able to stop it looping into the middle of the net.

Sholing put on Aidan Radford, a 17 year old forward who played for New Milton last season, for his debut.  Tadley, now forced to go forward, created more chances in the space of a few minutes than they had all game.  On 83 minutes, Ryan Gosney pulled off a fantastic double save. Firstly saving a shot from Denham and then scrambling back towards his far post to save the follow up.  A minute later, he dived low to his right to ensure he would have his 100th clean sheet for the Boatmen (in just 224 appearances!).  FT 1-0

Sholing will now make the very short trip to Hamble Club in the FA Cup Preliminary round in two weeks time (date to be confirmed).

Next Game : Mangotsfield United v Sholing - Saturday 17 August 3pm - BetVictor Southern League South Div 1

Photos courtesy of Ray Routledge (click an image to enlarge)

• Byron Mason Byron Mason
• Lining up Lining up
• Byron Mason Byron Mason
• Jamie Bulpitt Jamie Bulpitt
• TJ Cuthbertson TJ Cuthbertson
• Owen Royl Owen Royl
• Marlon Mason Marlon Mason
• Marlon Mason Marlon Mason
• Dean Faithfull Dean Faithfull
• Brad Targett Brad Targett
• Byron Mason Byron Mason
• Marv McLean Marv McLean
• Marlon Mason Marlon Mason
• Marv McLean Marv McLean
• No penalty No penalty
• Keeper claims Keeper claims
• TJ Cuthbertson TJ Cuthbertson
• Brad Targett Brad Targett
• Byron Mason Byron Mason
• Marv McLean Marv McLean
• Dan Mason's penalty is saved Dan Mason's penalty is saved
• Dan Mason Dan Mason
• Marv McLean Marv McLean
• Jamie Bulpitt Jamie Bulpitt
• Marlon Mason Marlon Mason
• Missed punch Missed punch
• Alex Sawyer Alex Sawyer
• Dan Mason celebrates his winner Dan Mason celebrates his winner
•  

Scorers : Dan Miller 3, Brad Targett 16, Marlon Mason 29, Dan Mason 36, Trialist 60

Date: Friday 12 July April 2019 - 7:30pm - Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: Test Park 3G

Sholing players used: Lewis Dumper, Owen Royl, Dean Faithful, Dan Miller, Owen Roundell, Byron Mason, Dan Mason, Aiden Radford, Brad Targett, Jake Hoole, Marlon Mason, Tobi Falodi, Jack Nicholas, Conall Bark, Bertrand Gbezo, Jean-Pierre Alexander & Two Trialists

Attendance: 30ish

Sholing's second pre-season friendly ended in a comfortable win in a one-sided game against a very young Solent side on the Test Park 3G pitch.

Boatmen took the lead on 3 minutes when Jake Hoole's corner was met by Dan Miller, whose header couldn't be stopped from finding the net by a player on the line.  The lead was doubled on 16 minutes after Owen Royl found Dan Mason with his back to goal, who set the ball for the arriving Brad Targett to smash high into the net from the edge of the area.  

That goal was probably bettered on 29 minutes as Brad Targett burst down the right wing, nutmegging the fullback before passing to Marlon Mason in the box. He made room for himself and fired a fierce shot into the far top corner.  It was 4-0 on 36 mins when another Hoole corner found the head of a Sholing player, this time, Dan Mason who did well to angle himself to connect and keep the pace on the ball to find the net.  HT 0-4

Lots of changes for the second half, but with Byron still pulling the strings in midfield and guiding the younger players and trialists.  The game continued to be played almost exclusively in the Solent half as the trialist in goal for Sholing had nothing to do.  For all the Boatmen's 2nd half pressure, they managed just the one goal when a right wing move and shot ended with the Solent keeper saving, but the rebound was put in by one of the Trialists.  FT 0-5   Thanks to Solent Uni for hosting & good luck for the season.

Next Friendly : Horndean v Sholing - Tuesday 16th July 7:45pm

Scorers : Thomas Hillman 14, Dan Demkiv 65, 77

Date: Saturday 17th August 2019 - 3pm - Betvictor Southern League South Division One

Venue: The GJC Commercials Stadium

Mangotsfield United: Marko Radovanovic, Sekani Simpson (Lewis Dix 20), Matthew Tanner, Robbie Cox (Sacha Long 82), Keith Kearney [c], Treyvond Anderson, Ashley McGrane, Jake Thomas, Dan Demkiv, Lee Hartshorn, Thomas Hillman (Lewis Sanders 78).  Unused subs : Mircea Llea, Liam Bishop

Yellow Cards: Matthew Tanner

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean, Owen Roundell, Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt (Owen Royl 85), Marlon Mason (Brad Targett 56), Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Jake Hoole. Unused subs : Dean Faithfull, Aidan Radford, Jack Nicholas

Yellow Cards:

Attendance: 128

Referee: Richard Lawrence  Assistants: Graeme Martin & Louis Coker

Sholing’s return to step 4 football is undone by a brace from former Southampton Youth player Daniel Demkiv

Team News: Dan Miller & Jake Hoole both returned from holiday and replaced Owen Royl & Dean Faithfull who both dropped to the bench also Brad Targett had recovered from his illness, Tobi Falodi, Michael Okubote & Shola Amiwero travelled with the reserves and Jack Nicholas was called up to the bench.

A minutes silence preceded the kick off for Southern League Liaison Officer & Ground Grading Inspector Adrian Titcombe. Mangotsfield got off to a lively start with Sholing being second best to the ball. A deep cross as early as the 2nd minute caught out the Sholing defence and TJ Cuthbertson connected with the ball and rocketed it towards the Sholing goal but it went over the bar with Ryan Gosney placed on the other side of the goal. Sholing began to counterattack but couldn’t penetrate the Mangotsfield defence.

Mangotsfield’s pressure however began to tell and were awarded a free kick 20 yards out Thomas Hillman drilled the ball past Ryan Gosney.

On 20 minutes Sekani Simpson had not recovered from his earlier knock and was replaced by Lewis Dix. 4 minutes later Mangotsfield had a large appeal for a penalty when Daniel Demkiv went down from a challenge but referee Lawrence waved away their appeals.

Mangotsfield continued to frustrate Sholing but as the 1st half drew to a close gaps opened up and won a number of corners with close headers from Dan Miller and Dan Mason. However the prime chance for Sholing fell to Marlon Mason who drew goalkeeper Radovanovic but the Sholing winger lift the ball wide of the keeper and Mangotsfield goal. HT: - 1-0

The 2nd half started with Sholing looking a little livelier and getting into the pace of the game. Both set of players however were getting a little frustrated with refereeing decisions. Mangotsfield first effort cleared the Sholing bar, then they win a corner which Sholing defended well and the ball back in was hit too long.

Ten minutes in Sholing made their first change Marlon Mason was replaced by Brad Targett. The game was halted for three minutes while Treyvond Anderson received treatment.

After only being on the pitch for five minutes Brad Targett causing the Mangotsfield defence problems was felled by Matthew Tanner and the defender received a yellow card. TJ Cuthbertson took the free kick but his effort hit the wall and fell to Brad Targett whose well hit shot was saved Radovanovic.

On 65 minutes Mangotsfield double their lead when Thomas Hillman has his shot beaten out by Ryan Gosney but Daniel Demkiv puts the ball into an empty net.

As the game entered the final 15 minutes the Sholing players continued to get frustrated. Then 2 minutes later Mangotsfield sealed the game up with Lee Hartshorn feeding man of the match Thomas Hillman who squared the ball to Daniel Demkiv to score his second goal. Before play restarted Thomas Hillman is replaced by Lewis Saunders. On 84 minutes Ryan Gosney denies substitute Lewis Saunders a minute later Owen Royl replaces Jamie Bulpitt. Despite playing 4 minutes of added time Sholing could not get a consolation goal. FT: - 3-0

Next Game : Sholing v Basingstoke Town - Tuesday 20 Aug 7:45pm - BetVictor Southern League South Div 1