Boatmen consign Fareham to fine cup match defeat
By Connor Steel
SHOLING FC comfortably advanced into the next qualifying round of the FA Cup as they travelled the short distance to Fareham Town on Saturday afternoon (September 13); eventually clinching a three-nil away victory against their ‘lower’ division opponents following a determined display with late goals silencing this large crowd of 442 fans at Cams Alders.
The visitors started stronger under overcast skies and had this first chance within nine minutes; Ricardo German’s shot being well saved by Declan McCarthy before its rebound was cleared by Fareham defenders. It was followed by a neat passing move for the home side between Charlie Cole and Harvey Aston that ended with a drive being sliced off-target.
A heavy rain downpour didn’t stop this attacking momentum as the Creeksiders went close through Josh Benfield, who lashed over the bar after a side-ways ball in the twentieth minute; the home fans pushing their side forward. They were cheering before the half hour when Fareham seemingly scored the opener but it was quickly disallowed by the officials.
Michael Folivi forced another good stop from McCarthy after twenty-eight minutes as Sholing overcame the moment of anxiety; German soon flashing a shot harmlessly wide following a headed clearance into his path. Fareham responded with an attempt for both Cole and Casey Bartlett-Scott in the final moments of the lively first half, which ended goalless.
The Boatmen made two changes for the restart and this helped them solidify their midfield battles despite both Bartlett-Scott and Jamie Arnold doing well to stretch the away defence to avail. And Sholing punished their hosts for this on 55 minutes when Beaux Booth was found on the edge of the area; the midfielder curling an excellent effort into the corner.
Proceedings passed the hour mark with injury stoppages halting this action and Sholing continued to be ‘bright’ in their attack as their striker forced yet another brilliant stop; Declan McCarthy keeping the side in the game. It forced multiple substitutions across both teams before Fareham as Ethan Quinlan saw his effort saved by the keeper after 73 minutes.
Fareham kept pushing with a spell of possession alongside crosses and quick passing to no avail with Sholing winning a penalty on 83 minutes for a tackle; Folivi stepping up and converting inside the bottom left corner for two-nil. And the visitors added more gloss to the scoreline through Folivi, who spun the man and fired home with the last kick of this tie.
The Creeksiders will be proud of their effort despite a defeat and there is several positives to take into their next match, which will see them play Horndean in this league on Tuesday night. They are then due to play Bishop Cleeve in the FA Trophy next Saturday, before hosting rivals AFC Portchester (September 23) in a second ‘El-Creekio’ derby cup match.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN MEDIA: Home attacker has his attempt under pressure by multiple away defenders.
