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Scorers : Dan Mason 23, 74, Jamie Bulpitt 37, Nick Yeomans 62

Date : Tuesday 8th March 2016 - 8pm - Sydenhams Wessex Premier

Sholing : Jordan Brooks, Kevin Brewster (Jack Smith 65), Marv McLean, Pete Castle (Dean Faithfull 73), Dan Miller, Jamie Bulpitt, Barry Mason, Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Nick Yeomans, Jake Hoole.  Subs not used: Owen Roundell, Joel Drew, Liam Attrill

Yellow Card : Barry Mason

Cowes Sports : Edward Hatt, James Butt (Sam Phelps 73), Nathan Lewis, Aiden Bryan [c] (Craig Insley 67), Edward Sanders, Oliver Wilson, Keelan Sainsbury (Jez Conway 70), Aiden Sainsbury, Jordan Browne, Jared Wetherick, John McKie.  Subs not used: Jason Malcolmson, James Wykes

Yellow Card : Aiden Bryan

Attendance : 57

Man of the Match : Byron Mason

Referee : Adrian Knight  Assistants: Paul Sanderson & John Harvey

SHOLING’s happy homecoming continued as they made it three wins from three with an emphatic 4 - 0 victory over Cowes Sports. Goals from Dan Mason and Jamie Bulpitt gave the hosts a lead at the break.  Nick Yeomans acrobatic effort and Dan Mason’s brilliant second completed the rout of a challenging opponent.

Team News : Jordan Brooks replaced the ill Ryan Gosney in goal. Barry Mason returned to the starting line-up with Marv McLean taking up the left back position.

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Although the match survived the day's drizzle, kick off was pushed back by fifteen minutes to allow the islanders extra time to get to the mainlaind. However, both sides failed to assert themselves on the opening exchanges, and spent the first 20 minutes getting the feel of one another, although the visitors had the majority of possession.

James Butt was the first to show signs of frustration, sending a 35 yard effort wildly over the crossbar, whilst Nick Yeomans could only scuff his first sighter into the arms of Edward Hatt.

The cagey introduction was almost ended by Cowes penalty shouts, however Pete Castles perfectly times tackle was just the first of many he and partner, Dan Miller, would complete in the first half to remove all danger from Jordan Brooks' goalmouth.

Indeed it was Castle who almost broke the deadlock with 20 minutes on the clock. Kevin Brewster’s floated corner was met strongly by the former Reading defender, however the ball took a nick and flashed narrowly past the post. The resulting corner was also met, but this time Nick Yeomans failed to get under the ball and sent it over the bar from just 6 yards out.

Minutes later the Boatmen led. A ball over the top of the defence - a tactic being put into effective use in recent weeks - wasn't cleared by Aiden Bryan and DAN MASON was able to take advantage and fire in a snap shot from the right hand corner of the area that skimmed across the wet surface and nestled in the far corner.

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Sholing’s recent run has also seen a succession of penalties although this time a strong tackle on Brewster and Yeomans follow up shot looking like it struck a hand reaped no such rewards, and instead a foul was given against Dan Mason for being offside.

As Diaper's men continued to press on it seemed only a matter of time before they extended their advantage. Barry Mason flicked over another Brewster free kick, and with ten minutes to go until half-time JAMIE BULPITT was able to double the scoreline. After Dan Mason was smartly blocked, the ball fell to the midfielder who worked a yard of space and saw his strike take a deflection, wrong footing Hatt in the process, and finding the corner.

For Cowes, winger John McKie was their standout player. Straight from the kick-off his side were able to put together a quick incisive move to send the forward through on goal, but once again Dan Miller was equal to the danger. Sholing had the chance to kill the game before the half, although Byron Mason couldn't add a goal to his typically dominant performance by heading Brewster’s cross wide at the near post. HT 2-0

Jake Hoole continued his impressive week, including his fantastic brace against Lymington, by threatening down the left. Playing ahead of Marv McLean, who was operating as an auxiliary left-back, Hoole almost added a third wonder goal in a week shortly before the hour mark. Drifting off of his wing he squared up the centre halves before selling them with a series of step-overs and dribbling into space. Unfortunately the teenager could only fire his effort over the bar.

Sholing had their third goal on 62 minutes, as Barry Mason took on the full back, beat him with ease and put over a lovely cross that was met on the volley from 10 yards by NICK YEOMANS. Was the young striker's 10th goal of a very promising start to his first team career.

Sholing continued to pressure with Hoole, Yeomans, and Masons all failing to work space for efforts, until Barry sent his fierce shot sailing over. Meanwhile, Cowes promising build-up play involving McKie down the right flank, once again fizzled out as soon as they got around the Boatmen's penalty area.

The hosts continued to defend resolutely, preventing the islanders from finding the final ball with men well placed at the back. Their defensive qualities were matched by the attacking intent of the team, and a swift counter attack & brilliant goal finished the contest.

Yeomans and DAN MASON exchanged passes allowing Mason to burst into space, displaying strength and skill to twist past 3 defenders, draw the keeper and fire with deadly accuracy, into the far corner from a tight angle for his fifth goal in three home fixtures.

With 20 minutes left the pace of the game slowed but Cowes had their best chance of the game as McKie was sent through on goal but when one-on-one with Brooks he could only scuff his effort horribly wide. Sholing were able to keep their third consecutive clean sheet as the Silverlake looks to re-establish the same fortress like reputation it held before Christmas. FT 4-0

Report by Ollie Harvey

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View from the stands:  Another excellent all round team performance from back to front and we continue to be spoilt by some high quality goals in the last 7 days.  A regular run of games has enabled the team to both get match fit, but also to gel again.  Been no sloppy mistakes at the back, with Marv surprising most with some assured displays at full back.  Byron & Bulpitt have dominated the centre of the park and we've hit teams with pace & power up front and from the flanks.

Some cracking goals again, D-Dan is very much back in the groove, finding the net with some fantastic finishes. His second goal was very special and the type you don't regularly see at this level of football. 31 goals for the season, puts him just 1 behind the current Wessex Golden boot leader.

Boatmen have closed the gap on the teams at the top and with games in hand, have a real chance of at least a top 3 finish. Salisbury are still clear of the pack, but with a lot of games to play in a hectic finish to the season, who knows what might happen?

Next game is away to Team Solent on Saturday 3pm
Next home game is on Wednesday 16th against Bournemouth Poppies, 7:45pm

Sholing v Cowes Sport from Martin Johnson on Vimeo.