Brockenhurst2 2Sholing

Scorers : Byron Mason (OG) 28, Noel McCarthy-Gardiner 62  /  Dan Mason 81, Barry Mason 90+2

Date : Tuesday 21st November 7:45pm - Southampton Senior Cup 3rd Round

Venue : Meadens Skoda Arena

Brockenhurst : Matt Taylor, Tommy Barnes, Ronan Moore, Tom Rose, Matt Burt [c], Ben Kelly, Dammy Bada, Ollie Dennett, Noel Mcarthy-Gardiner, Matt Sheedy, Mark Barker.  Subs : Will Tickle, Ed Kitcher, Greg King, Aaron Dunne, Chris Wateridge

Yellow Card :  Matt Taylor

Sholing : Ryan Gosney, TJ Cuthbertson, Marv Mclean, Pete Castle (Owen Roundell 71), Dan Miller, Alex Sawyer, Barry Mason, Byron Mason [c], Dan Mason, Lee Wort, Jamie Bulpitt (Kev Brewster 75).  Subs not used : Owen Royl, Jamie Bray

Yellow Card : 

Attendance : 82

Man of the Match : Ryan Gosney

Referee : Krasimir Petrov  Assistants : Steve Saunders & Paul Scott-Munden

Boatmen staged a remarkable late comeback to keep a grip on the Southampton Senior Cup. For most of the game, we looked to be heading out of the competition, until 2 goals in the last 9 minutes drew us level and then Ryan Gosney saved 3 penalties in the shootout to see us into the Quarter Finals.

Team News: Byron Mason returned to skipper a full strength Sholing starting eleven.

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Playing under Brockenhurst's dazzling new LED floodlights, Sholing started brightly, but without creating much and it was the home side who created the first good chance on 6 minutes. A through ball up the right channel saw Barker outstrip the Boatmen defence, but his shot across Gosney hit the inside of the far post and was hacked clear.  Sholing had a number of corners that came to nothing and both Castle & Sawyer had efforts comfortable saved by Taylor.

On 28 mins, Brockenhurst took the lead when a right wing freekick was curled towards the 6 yard box, where Byron Mason got his head to it, but unfortunately, only to divert it past Gosney for an own goal.   It summed up Sholing's first half, as very little was working in a disjointed performance.  HT 1-0

Jamie Bulpitt swept a shot just wide on 47 mins, but Sholing continued to struggle to create, despite having a lot of possession.  Meanwhile, Brockenhurst were breaking forward at pace and it was from a sweeping move they doubled their advantage on 62 minutes.  After some quick passing in the centre circle, Brock sliced through the middle of the Sholing defence to free Noel Mcarthy-Gardiner, who lifted his shot over the advancing Gosney for a terrific goal.

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Gosney was playing as a sweeper and a couple of times had to be sharp as the home side raced forward into gaps in behind.  Gos also did well to dive to his left to beat away a shot as Brock looked to make the game safe.  At 2-0 up and entering the last 10 minutes, the game looked like it would only finish one way... but it didn't.

On 81 minutes, in a crowded penalty area, DAN MASON scored with an overhead kick for the second game running.  The ball finding it's way inside the near post and despite a slightly confusing few seconds where it wasn't clear if the Ref had given the goal or not, it stood.

With the Brokenhurst keeper booked for time wasting, it was obvious the ref would add some time on and in the 92nd minute, Sholing drew level.  Substitute, Kev Brewster's right wing inswinging corner was flicked goalwards by Byron Mason, but cleared off the line, but the ball came down for BARRY MASON inside the 6 yard box, to nod it down into the bottom corner to take the game to penalties, much to the utter disbelief of Brockenhurst players and supporters, and to be honest, Sholing ones too.  FT 2-2

Penalty Shootout : Lee Wort stepped up to take the first pen, but his shot was saved by Taylor.  Brock slotted away their first kick to have the advantage.  The ever reliable Kev Brewster scored his effort, despite the keeper getting a hand to it. Gosney then pulled off a brilliant save to dive full length to his left to tip the penalty onto the post.  Despite a bit of gamesmanship by the keeper, Owen Roundell wasn't phased, sending Taylor the wrong way.  Gosney made another save, this time to his right, before Dan Mason blazed his spot-kick over the bar.  Brockenhurst levelled the scores at 2-2, despite Gos almost saving it. Barry Mason blasted his penalty into the roof of the net, meaning Brock had to score with their next effort.... but Gosney pulled off another save and Sholing grabbed a win out of the jaws of defeat!

Such is Cup Football, and despite not playing anywhere near our best, the lads never gave up.  We will be at home to Hamble Club in the Quarter Final on Tuesday 16th January 7:45pm

Next Game : Shaftesbury v Sholing - Saturday 25 Nov 3pm - Wessex Premier

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