STAGS BEATEN BY THE BOATMEN

AFC Totton reserves 0 Sholing reserves 1

By Sean McGlead

The Stags reserve side came out 2nd best last night in this John Stimson memorial Shield final against the Boatmen of Sholing in front of 180 spectators at the Bypass Ground, the home of Romsey Town FC.

An early chance fell to to Totton’s Jake rawkins when he pulled a save out of Sholing keeper Jordan Brookes. from then on though Sholing took control of the first half with chances for Fon and Oxlade amongst others. Totton were finding it hard to get any rhythm going as Sholing spent almost the entire first period camped in the Totton half.

Things improved marginally after the break, but sholing were still the better side by some distance. The Boatmen got closer and closer to opening the scoring hitting the woodwork twice through Bloomfield and Richards. The frustration at the continuous missed chances seemed to be showing on the Sholing bench. However, the Boatmen were not to be denied when they finally got the goal that their play had deserved when Coby Wilson’s ball into the box was smashed home by Elliot Richards after 84 minutes.

Sholing comfortably saw out the closing minutes to lift the shield, nobody in the ground could say that they were not worthy winners.

I would just like to say well done to the Totton lads, some of whom had played four games in the last 7 days.

It was still a great achievement to reach the final and you did the club proud by getting there.

There is always next year!