Pitching In Southern League, Premier Division South
Sholing v Tiverton Town
Saturday, February 1 . 3pm . The Mortgage Decisions Stadium
COME 3pm on Saturday, the Yellows will be harbouring their hopes on using last weekend's victory as a springboard for further success. If Tiverton were to get back-to-back wins, then Rob Dray's men would be level on points with Saturday's opponents, albeit with an inferior goal difference.
There was little between the two sides back in October, when an entertaining 3-3 draw was played out at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium. In the dugout then were caretaker managers Asa Hall and Niall Thompson.
For Sholing, Paul Doswell will again take the reins for the Boatmen and the vastly experienced manager has continued the continuity of a well-seasoned squad, as did his predecessor Dave Diaper.
Diaper deservedly has assumed legendary status at the club based close to Southampton, in a similar vain to Martyn Rogers at Tivvy. Retiring after 25 years as boss with the Boatmen, having celebrated an FA Vase win in the 2014-15 season, he is still involved as head of football operations and instigated the recruitment of Doswell.
The former Sutton United and Havant and Waterlooville manager can call on the likes of the Mason brothers, Dan and Byron , who are the uncles of Chelsea and England player Levi Colwill. Thirteen seasons on from his debut season in 2011-112, Dan has played 600 competitive games and scored 296 goals.
Byron is fast approaching his 38th birthday and, like his brother, is heavily revered at the Mortgage Decision Stadium. The inspirational midfielder is coaching at the club mainly now, but does occasionally play and will be invaluable in the dressing-room.
Although only 23, this is forward Brad Targett’s eighth season with the Boatmen. The talented home-grown player has already made 244 appearances and is another example of player loyalty.
However, it is ex-Watford, Wimbledon and Colchester striker Michael Folivi, who played in the Premier League for the Hornets, who has been making the headlines. Folivi’s eight goals from nine league games will mean Tivvy will have to be on high alert. Still only 27, Folivi has also played for Enfield and Chesham this term.
Unusually for a side at our level, Folivi is not the only player who has played in the Premier League in the Sholing squad. Cultured attacking midfielder, 28-year-old Jake Hesketh made two appearances for Southampton in the 2014-15 season whilst still a teenager and was plying his trade for Eastleigh before signing for our hosts.
Defender Benny Read appears to be a shrewd acquisition. An integral part of ambitious high-flyers Totton during the last campaign, he has pretty much been a mainstay in the Boatmen’s backline and, prior to his time with Totton, played his football higher up the pyramid for Havant & Waterlooville.
Aldershot loanee Pat Nash will take the gloves for Sholing.
Paul Doswell’s men will be looking to build on a good point earned away at Dorchester last time out to steer away from a slump in form which has seen them only win once in their last eight games.
Matt Le Tissier is an Associate Director of the club, often attending matches when Southampton are away, and does his bit to raise the profile of the club.
Apart from the disappointment at Marlow, Tiverton have looked more competitive through January, with a rejuvenated Joe Parker’s performances just missing a goal, and Gabe Billington’s creativity and wide men Niall Thompson and Dylan Jones all looking good going forward. The centre-back pairing of Josh Jones and Toby Down has also given us a solid base.
In a season that has suffered from a lack of consistency, I am sure that the coaching team will be emphasising how important it is to get a winning mentality and, in what should be a keenly contested game, both sides should have a little bit of confidence when the whistle blows.
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