Sholing vs Poole Town – Match Preview
The Boatmen were knocked out of the FA Trophy by Hungerford last Saturday which was something of a surprise as they achieved their best result of the season the week before when they beat Havant & Waterlooville 5-1. Goals from Gunson (2) Targett, Milner-Smith and ex Dolphin Jordan Chiedozie gave them their second home win of the campaign and their fourth overall.
They sit just above us in 7th place on goal difference (P9 W4 D3 L2 15 points) and have an almost identical record to our own. At home they have won 2 drawn 1 and lost 1.
Manager Paul Doswell was appointed manager just about a year ago and has enjoyed a great deal of success during his tenure. The Boatmen beat Hamworthy United to secure promotion in the 2023/4 season and finished in a credible position of 15th in their first full season at this level. He has showed plenty of signs that he is aiming to build on this platform after a very promising start to this season. He has previously managed Eastleigh and Sutton United making a very positive impression at both clubs.
As we know success brings its own rewards, Sholing currently enjoy an average attendance of just above 750. They drew a crowd of over a thousand when they lost to AFC Totton in August.
Sholing are one of the teams who are noted for having some very long serving players. The longest serving of all is Byron Mason who has made over 725 appearances for the Boatmen and has achieved a great deal for the club, lifting over a dozen trophies, including the FA Vase in 2014. A natural leader, the beating heart of the side for over a decade as Captain.
Not so long serving is Charlie Gunson who joined the Boatmen after gaining promotion with Salisbury last season. A goal scoring all action midfielder, who has also played for Dorchester, Totton & Wimborne. He chipped in with two goals in the recent 5-1 win over Havant & Waterlooville as I said earlier.
We didn’t fare too well against Sholing last season, although we knocked them out of the FA Trophy with a 3-1 win the Black Gold Stadium, we lost both league fixtures. We went down 2-0 away and then 3-0 at home.
It was devastating to concede that last gasp penalty on Tuesday which cost us two valuable points. However, there was enough in the performance to show that we are capable of putting a winning run together. We just need to score more goals!!!
Enjoy the game
Neil Wellington.