Match Preview | Sholing

Tiverton Town v Sholing 

Saturday 23^rd August 3pm Kick off 

The Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium 

The arrival of early pacesetters Sholing is next on the agenda for the Yellows. It will be a while before we are able to gauge the overall strength of the sides in Southern League Premier South, with it being impossible to evaluate the quality of opponents, given so few games have taken place. 

Although a good start has been made by the Boatmen and Paul Doswell's men will bring momentum with them and provide Tiverton with a stern test on Saturday afternoon. Asa Hall and Steve Orchard’s team have had a mixed start, results wise, but have in football terms made a decent and promising start displaying attractive football and plenty of ability and they could so easily have walked away from Hungerford in possession of a point or even all three. 

The evolving Yellows have impressed experienced, opposing manager’s Tom Killick (Dorchester) and Danny Robinson (Hungerford), both in victory in Dorset and defeat in Wiltshire. Louis Jagger Cane is in a rich vein of form in front of goal, having scored three goals from two starts, Tor Swann has imposed his unquestionable talent on the opponents he has faced so far and Dan Koita despite the obvious close attentions of defenders, has led the line well. 

Strong contributions throughout the side, however, have been encouraging. George Burton’s performances at the other end of the pitch haven’t gone unnoticed and the central relationships down the spine of the team that are developing between Down and Moxey in defence and Hall and Stephens in the midfield, bode well for the future.  

Two late second half goals for Saturdays visitors saw them overturn Weymouth’s 2-1 half time lead and climb to the top of the table in the process. Prior to that they emphatically beat Poole 4-1 in a second successive home game, and the Southampton based side, drew 0-0 at Yate on the opening day. 

Previously known as Vosper Thorneycroft, the Boatmen became Sholing in 2010. They have swiftly risen from the Wessex League through to The Southern Premier League South, picking up an FA Vase win along the way. 

Still involved from the early days of Sholing, both in a playing and coaching capacity is 38-year-old midfielder and club captain Byron Mason. A massive player over the years for our opponents, as is record goal scorer for the club, his brother 33-year-old Dan Mason is close to the 300-goal mark for our visitors. 

Involved as an associate director at the club is their nephew; Chelsea and England’s Levi Colwill. His younger brother central midfielder Jayvon JJ Colwill is also part of the Boatmen’s squad. Further involvement from Matt Le Tissier has raised their profile too. 

The longevity of players in the Hampshire team’s dressing room is admirable. It was something that was instilled into them by previous long serving, legendary manager, Dave Diaper and has been continued by current boss Paul Doswell.  

Brad Targett is into his ninth season at the club and is only 24 years old. Home-grown and versatile, the talented attacking player has played in virtually every outfield position for them. 

Two Sholing players have played in the Premier League. Michael Folivi whose striking prowess saw him score 21 goals in 23 league games, following his move from Chesham midway through last season and as a teenager 27-year-old Folivi made an appearance in England’s top division with Watford. 

Creative midfielder James Hesketh played a couple of games for Southampton in the Premier League, having spent sixteen seasons with the Saints, joining them at the age of six. His other EFL clubs were; Burton, Lincoln, MK Dons and Crawley. 

Ex Forest Green central defender Dan Wishart is another to have spent time in the EFL, adding to the pedigree and experience in the Boatmen’s ranks. Goalkeeper Craig King is a much-admired gloveman and was an understudy at Luton Town. He played a step higher for Hemel Hempstead last term. 

It’s a busy and challenging programme ahead, with two games against local rivals Taunton to follow in the space of six days. Monday in the league away from home and then in the FA Cup, back at the Slee Blackwell Solicitors Stadium. 

The importance of focusing on one game at a time needs to be emphasised though and I’m sure this will be made aware to the team on Saturday, as they look to get off the mark on home soil.