Wimborne Town 1-2 Sholing

Scorers : Charlie Gunson 69 (pen)  /  Stu Green 31 (pen), Rafa Ramos 87

Date: Saturday 15th August 2020 - 3:00pm - Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: Cuthbury

Wimborne Town: Trialist, Strugnell, Chugg, Trialist, Maybury, Kellaway, Trialist, Gunson, Young, Sinclair, Lovell. Subs used: Arnold, Adwell, Trialist, Penny, Shepherd, Smith

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv McLean, PJ McLean, Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt, Nick Watts, Alex Sawyer, Josh Carey, Stuart Green, Brad Targett.  Subs used : Aidan Radford, Barry Mason, Charlie Wagstaffe, James Lauder, Joe Smith, Jamie Kaffo & Rafa Ramos

Attendance: 0

Sholing played their first game for 157 days and got pre-season underway with a good performance against Southern Premier side, Wimborne Town. Stu Green won and converted a first half penalty, before the home side scored a penalty of their own on 69 mins.  The late winner came via an error by the Wimborne keeper, who presented new signing, Rafa Ramos, with the ball to score.

Team News : Boatmen were without Byron Mason, Dan Mason, Owen Roundell & Liam Crook, but there was a good turnout of players and some new and old (familiar) faces.

Thankfully, the heatwave had given way to an overcast, cool day with light drizzle, although the pitch was still very hard from the long hot summer.  Wimborne will soon be moving to a new stadium on the other side of town, so it's understandable they have kept maintenance of Cuthbury to a miminum, especially as with all Non League clubs, they are currently unable to earn any income by opening up the ground to spectators.  However, there was a warm welcome from the Wimborne committee for the handful of Sholing officials who were kindly given permission to attend.

The "new normal" of football was in evidence with limited use of the changing rooms, 1 in 1 out in the toilets, sanitised matchballs placed around the pitch & the Wimborne designated Covid Officer was spraying the goalposts before kick off.  No supporters were allowed in, but a couple of spectators watched the match from a mound of earth in the construction site next door.

This was Wimborne's 4th pre-season friendly and Sholing's first, so it was a bit of a surprise to see the Boatmen look on a par energy wise with the the home side in the early stages and in fact, throughout the game.  Sholing had the first chance when Brad Targett rode a challenge on the half way line and sped forward before finding Stu Green, but his left foot effort in on goal lacked the pace to worry the keeper.  Wimborne had a couple of attacks end with some wayward shooting as the first half settled down.

Barry Mason, playing at right back, floated in a teasing freekick into the area, that was missed by everyone, but had to be palmed round the post by the keeper.  On 31 mins Sholing took the lead via a penalty.  STU GREEN had been upended as he shot and Greener confidently fired the spot kick past the dive of the keeper and into the far corner.  At the back, PJ McLean was looking impressive on his return to the Sholing side, winning some thumping headers and timing his tackles nicely.  The only awkward moment for Gosney, saw a tame looking shot take a strange bounce in front of him, but the ball was cleared before Wimborne could pounce.  HT 0-1

Boatmen had a great chance to double the lead when Charlie Wagstaffe, making his debut, lifted the ball into the middle of the box to find Aidan Radford, but he didn't connect as he would have wanted and was an easy save for the Wimborne keeper.   With more substitutions taking place, the game lost any flow and became scrappy with some questionable decisions from the officials as well.   On 69 minutes, Wimborne were awarded a freekick on the edge of the area that they thumped straight at PJ in the wall, with the rebound put back over the defence for a home player to fire wide from the angle, with Gosney's momentum making contact with him long after the ball had gone, but the ref pointed to the spot.  Charlie Gunson slotted the ball home for the equaliser.

Home side were lifted by the goal and had a good spell of pressure, but couldn't trouble Gosney with any effort on target.  Boatmen might have scored again when Barry Mason's deep freekick was met with a freeheader at the far post by PJ, who put it back across goal, but wide of the far upright.   The game was petering out to a draw, but with 3 minutes to go, Sholing were gifted the winner.   The Wimborne keeper's weak goalkick was intercepted by RAFA RAMOS on the edge of the area, who did a little stepover before dinking it left foot just inside the post.   A nice way for the former Brockenhurst & Andover New Street striker to mark his first appearance for the Boatmen.  Gosney did very well as a Wimborne player went clean through to time his dive perfectly to grab the ball at the striker's feet.

The final act of the game was a red card for the Wimborne manager, Mark Gamble, for arguing with the referee, which seemed a bit unnessecary by both parties.   For Sholing, it had been an encouraging display with several players doing the full 90 mins and everyone showed good energy considering there were no match minutes in the legs prior to today.  Many thanks to Wimborne Town for hosting the game.  FT 1-2

Video Highlights courtesy of TBTV Sport

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Photos by Keith Legg (click an image to enlarge)

AFC Stoneham 0-0 Sholing

Scorers :

Date: Tuesday 25th August 2020 - 7:45pm - Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: Stoneham Lane

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Liam Crook, PJ McLean, Owen Roundell, Charlie Wagstaffe, Byron Mason, Alex Sawyer, Brad Targett, Stu Green, Dan Mason.  Subs Used : Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt, Joe Smith, Aidan Radford & Rafa Ramos

Attendance: 70ish

The previous time we played at Stoneham it was during a howling gale and driving rain, but that was in January, so it was even less pleasant to experience similiar conditions in August.  The weather did effect the game, with neither side able to find the net.

Team News : Marv & Barry were unavailable and with the U23's in action at the same time, there was a smaller squad than for our other pre-season games.  Boatmen wore our smart new black & white change kit for the first time.

Stoneham started the brighter on the 3G surface and thumped an effort off the crossbar from distance after 2 mins.  This was followed by Ryan Gosney having to make two decent stops in quick succession as it took until 16 mins for Sholing to get deep into the home side's half.  It was a good opportunity, created by a nice ball lifted into Alex Sawyer as he broke into the box, but his cross shot was well tipped round the far post by the keeper.

Further chances for Sholing saw Byron head wide and then a 20 yard freekick by Liam Crook flash across goal, but not worry the keeper.   Crooky, playing left back, was putting in some decent crosses and set pieces, but defences on both sides stayed on top as the half came to an end.  HT 0-0

StonehamPitch

Stu Green broke away down the right wing and put over a lovely cross for Dan Mason, who beat the centrehalf to the header, but it went agonisingly wide of the upright.   Brad Targett went on a lung busting run from his own half, but blasted his effort over.    Stoneham looked more comfortable on the artificial surface and got themselves into a number of good shooting positions, but most the efforts were straight at Gosney.

Despite it being a friendly, a poor challenge in the centre circle left Stu Green in a heap and after treatment, he went off.   With the rain still lashing across the pitch, the final action of the game probably should have seen the Boatmen nick the win.  Good vision from Joe Smith, saw him slide the ball into the feet of the unmarked Jamie Bulpitt, who checked back and with the keeper to beat, put his effort wide.    FT 0-0

More minutes in the legs for the players and we remain unbeaten in pre-season, but a horrible night to play and watch football.  But it was great to see Sholing fans back at a game at long last.

Brockenhurst 1-2 Sholing

Scorers : Toby Bailey 54  /  Stu Green 14, Dan Mason 75

Date: Tuesday 18th August 2020 - 7:30pm - Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: Grigg Lane

Sholing: Ryan Gosney, Barry Mason, Marv McLean, Byron Mason [c], PJ McLean, Jamie Bulpitt, Alex Sawyer, TJ Cuthbertson, Dan Mason, Stuart Green, Brad Targett.  Subs used : Luke Deacon, Charlie Wagstaffe, Liam Crook, James Lauder, Joe Smith, Owen Roundell, Martin Buckland, Rafa Ramos

Attendance: 0

Boatmen repeated the scoreline & the manner of the game from Saturday, with a victory at Brockenhurst on a warm summer's evening in the New Forest.  Our goals were two well worked and excuted efforts, with Stu Green backheeling in before Dan Mason's firmly hit sidefoot won the match with 15 mins to go.

Team News : Byron Mason, Owen Roundell & Dan Mason returned, with first appearances for Luke Deacon, Liam Crook & Martin Buckland.  Nick Watts sat out with an injury and Dan Miller was unavailable. Sholing wore our new home kit, kindly sponsored by South Coast Building Group and Ceno Bar & Restaurant

Boatmen almost scored straight from the kick off as the ball quickly made it's way to Brad Targett in space just inside the area, but the Brockenhurst keeper pushed his effort round the upright.  Alex Sawyer then curled a 22 yard freekick just over. Sholing were knocking the ball around nicely, with a couple of more half chances created before we took the lead on 14 mins.  The ball was nicely worked down the right side before an overlapping Jamie Bulpitt picked out STU GREEN with a low cross into the 6 yard area and Greener finished with a beautifully executed back heeled flick past the keeper.

The home team had barely been in the Sholing half, but on 20 mins could have equalised when a defence splitting pass released a Brock forward, but Gosney was quickly off his line to spread himself to make the save.  His opposite number pulled off an even better save to deny Brad Targett, whose curling right foot effort seemed destined for the top corner until a fingertip stop, put it over the bar.

Sholing continued to get into good positions via attacks down the flanks, with Marv & Targett down the left, especially causing the home side problems. Dan Mason had an effort go wide as the half came to an end. HT 0-1

Dave Diaper gave Luke Deacon his debut in goal, with also Liam Crook & Charlie Wagstaffe coming on for the second half.  Brockenhurst equalised on 54 minutes when a good cross from wide out on the right wing found Toby Bailey unmarked 10 yards out and he buried his header past Deacon.   The home side were looking more lively than Sholing, who were allowing a lot of space in midfield for Brock to operate in.

Luke Deacon had his first saves to make, getting behind shots that were comfortable for the keeper to deal with.  Boatmen were a bit wasteful in possession as the game entered the usual pre-season friendly stage of multilple subs that stop any flow to proceedings.   Marv, who was now playing off the left side of D-Dan, was found in the area, but his first time shot went wide. 

There was a first sight of Martin Buckland, who looked neat and tidy on the right and wasn't afraid to get stuck into a tackle.  He met a cross from the left at the far post with a header, but couldn't direct it on target.   On 75 minutes, Sholing retook the lead when James Lauder fed Marv McLean on the left side of the box and his cut back was perfect for DAN MASON to thump in a first time side foot finish from 12 yards.  Brockenhurst were awarded a freekick right on the edge of Sholing's box in the last minute of the game, but a tame effort was plucked out the air by Luke Deacon.  

More minutes in the tank for the players as we move onto our next friendly at AFC Stoneham on Tuesday.  Hopefully, fans will be allowed in for that one, watch this space.  Thanks to Brockenhurst for hosting the game last night. FT 1-2

Photos by Keith Legg (click an image to enlarge)

Sholing 4-1 Salisbury

Scorers : Owen Roundell 29, Dan Mason 37, Stu Green (pen) 54, Rafa Ramos 87  /  Charlie Davis 88

Date: Saturday 5 September 2020 - 3pm - Pre-Season Friendly

Venue: Mackoy Stadium

Sholing: Ryan Gosney (Luke Deacon), TJ Cuthbertson (Barry Mason), Marv Mclean (Joe Smith), Owen Roundell, Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt (Charlie Wagstaffe), Claudio Herbert (Alex Sawyer), Bryon Mason ©, Stuart Green (Nick Watts), Dan Mason (Rafa Ramos), Bradley Targett (Aidan Radford)

Salisbury: Will Betts, Charlie Davis, Antonio Diaz (Lewis Benson), Dom Jeffries (Elliot Wheeler), Jack Ball, Charlie Kennedy (Dan Fitchett), Owen Taylor (Sam Roberts), Darren Mullins, Harry Baker (Sam Brooks), Warren Bentley (Josh Summerton), Diego Romero

Referee: Tim Godfrey  Assistants: Rob Linter & Krasimir Petrov

Attendance: 111

After 178 days, Football finally returned to a revamped & improved Mackoy Stadium, with Sholing putting in an impressive performance to win big against Southern League Premier side, Salisbury. Goals came from Owen Roundell, Dan Mason, Stu Green & Rafa Ramos as Dave Diaper gave run outs to all the players he had at his disposal.  Also starting was Claudio Herbert, the former Salisbury & Basingstoke player had tweeted his availability in the week and the Boatmen with the help of Agent Green, quickly pounced to get him on board.

Sholing had the majority of possession within the opening spell, but sadly couldn’t convert into any notable chances despite a number of set piece opportunities. Down the other end, Salisbury looked dangerous on the counter attack with Owen Taylor and Diego Romero linking up, but Dan Miller snuffed out this half opportunity in the ninth minute. The visitors then had the first shot as Harry Baker set up Warren Bentley who fired harmlessly over the crossbar with his high and curling effort.

The cagey nature of this friendly continued until the 25th minute, when Sholing created their first opening of proceedings. Dan Mason seized upon a mistake from Jack Ball, before taking an angled shot that cannoned off the outside of the post. Sixty seconds later Ryan Gosney was forced into a low block from Baker, before the rebound was skewed wide under pressure from the home defence.

Sholing grabbed the opening goal on 29 minutes when Stu Green's freekick from the left side of the penalty area was swung into the 6 yard box, where under pressure from Byron Mason & Dan Miller, the Salisbury keeper couldn't claim the ball cleanly, with it falling beyond him where OWEN ROUNDELL quickly reacted to smash it home through a crowd of bodies at the far post.

Two minutes later Claudio Herbert’s ambitious effort was fumbled out for a corner by Will Betts, before the Boatmen brilliantly doubled their lead on 37 minutes. A ball forward in the right channel, was flicked brilliantly into the path of Stu Green in space down the right, the linesman and his flowing locks indicated he was onside and the midfielder advanced at pace and fired in a cross along the edge of the penalty area, which reached DAN MASON who hit a controlled first time effort that curled beautifully into the far top corner.  HT: 2-0

At half time, Luke Deacon took over the gloves from Gosney and Barry Mason & Charlie Wagstaffe also coming on. Despite Salisbury getting a flea in the ear at half time from Steve Claridge (we might have to look at sound proofing in the new away changing rooms!) The Boatmen remained on top and took advantage of sloppy play in the visitors defence after the restart. Brad Targett was put through on goal, but saw his effort always rising. Targett & Green were all over the left side of Salisbury's back line and it was no surprise when Sholing extended their lead in the 54th minute. More confusion between Betts and his defence saw Brad Targett win the ball and he was about to tap into the empty net when he was rugby tackled for the most stonewall penalty in the history of football.  The ref was feeling generous by not even booking the Salisbury player for what would normally be a straight red.  STU GREEN stepped up and dispatched the penalty with aplomb against his former side.

The usual mass substitutions from the 60 minutes mark onwards, saw Nick Watts make his return to the Red & White stripes.  Claudio Herbert, who had impressed and signed up straight after the match, went off with Alex Sawyer replacing him. Joe Smith, Rafa Ramos & Aidan Radford also came on for the final 15 minutes or so.

Sholing scored their fourth goal in the 87th minute when Aidan Radford sped past the last man and squared a low cross for the arriving RAFA RAMOS to open his body up and side foot into the far corner from 8 yards. Salisbury gained a consolation goal straight from the restart when Charlie Davis let fly from twenty-five yards with a spectacular dipping shot into the top corner.   The final whistle saw Sholing gain an impressive, deserved win and the visiting side sent to the far corner of the pitch by their manager to do 20 minutes of training, which was being observed by the Sholing lads who had already changed and were having a pint on the new clubhouse patio.  FT 4-1

Today's win was dedicated to Ray Tyrrell, who is so sorely missed by everyone at the club. RIP Raymondo.

Thanks to all our volunteers for getting the ground ready and looking fantastic and for coping so well with new facilities and the Covid requirements.  Good luck to Salisbury FC for the new season.

Report by Connor Steel

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