Goals: Paxton 33 / Jude Nwachukwu 3
Wednesday 16th July 2014 - Horndean - Pre-season Friendly
Sholing Line up: Rory Anderson, TJ Cuthbertson (Caleb Porter), Kane Crisp (Liam Golding), Dan Miller, Stuart Mott (Lewis Fear), Danny Cox (C) Jamie Craven, Leslie Mwenze (Sergio Callabero), Macaully Smith, Jude Nwachuku (Alex Baldacchino), Coby Wilson.
Attendance: 53
Sholing’s 2nd preseason friendly in 4 days gave managers Mick Marsh & Dave Fear the opportunity to look at some of the newer players joining the club. This was highlighted by the fact that the starting 11 only had 3 original players from Sunday’s starting line up and 6 in total from the 16. Danny Cox skippered the side Rory Anderson made his debut in goal.
A reasonable crowd turned out on a warm night with Sholing supported by their faithful travelling Ultras. However a teamsheet was needed for them to see who was who. It didn’t take them long before they got into song when debutant JUDE NWACHUKU scored on 3 minutes. This lifted the youngsters and winger Coby Wilson made numerous runs wide on the left. Coby could have doubled Sholing’s lead when he left foot drive rattled the crossbar and Jude could’nt connect with the rebound with the goalkeeper stranded. Sholing were looking confident and at ease with the back four and goalkeeper Rory Anderson occasionally having to deal with long range shots. However on 33 minutes Horndean’s Nathan Paxton capitalised on a mistake in midfield and equalised from 16 yards. Sholing wasted a few chances once they penetrated the Horndean defence. HT 1-1
The match was played out and both sides had chances to win the game a couple of goalmouth scrambles were cleared by the Sholing defence. Another slight scare was when defender Stuart Mott took a knock and was taken off as a precaution and replaced by Lewis Fear with TJ Cuthbertson reverting to centre back. Jude Nwachuku was replaced by Alex Baldacchino, Jude looked comfortable in his role and should have maybe scored another couple of goals on debut. Sholing’s best effort came from skipper Danny Cox when his 25yd free kick smashed against the crossbar. Leslie Mwenze made way for another trialist Sergio Callabero. Sholing management made sure all substitutes were used resting TJ Cuthbertson who has featured in both friendlies and replacing full back Kane Crisp. With TJ leaving the field Lewis Fear moved in alongside Dan Miller at centre half, Caleb Porter slotted in at right back and Liam Golding to left back. FT 1-1
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