After a week without football I was very keen to get back out on the road this Sunday, and the women's FA Cup offered up a plethora of enticing games to choose from. With Wandering tractor covering Farnham v Havant & Waterlooville, which I had been considering, I decided to head down to the south coast for Sholing v Bristol Rovers. This ground had long been on my list to visit, so this was a golden opportunity.
Sholing, since the name change from Eastleigh in the Community, have added to their squad and started the season well, only losing their unbeaten run last weekend. They progressed to this stage of the FA Cup with a resounding 6-0 defeat of AFC Varsity, which came on the back of a 13-1 defeat of Hythe & Dibden in the Southampton District Cup. The draw, pitching them against a team from the league above, gave the new-look team an opportunity to test themselves.
Bristol Rovers won the South-West Premier League by 12 points last season, gaining promotion into the National League structure. A great achievement when you consider they were still in Division One North of the South-West League in 2021, winning it in 2022. They've started life at national level well, currently sitting in fourth spot after winning four of their first seven. They are also currently the only team to have taken any points off league leaders Swindon Town following last week's 1-1 draw thanks to Meg Jarvis's 94th minute equaliser (keep that in mind for later).
Last season saw Eastleigh, as they were then, go out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, losing 1-0 at home to AFC Portchester. Rovers went out in the 2nd Round, losing 2-1 at Keynsham Town.
Sholing, since the name change from Eastleigh in the Community, have added to their squad and started the season well, only losing their unbeaten run last weekend. They progressed to this stage of the FA Cup with a resounding 6-0 defeat of AFC Varsity, which came on the back of a 13-1 defeat of Hythe & Dibden in the Southampton District Cup. The draw, pitching them against a team from the league above, gave the new-look team an opportunity to test themselves.
Bristol Rovers won the South-West Premier League by 12 points last season, gaining promotion into the National League structure. A great achievement when you consider they were still in Division One North of the South-West League in 2021, winning it in 2022. They've started life at national level well, currently sitting in fourth spot after winning four of their first seven. They are also currently the only team to have taken any points off league leaders Swindon Town following last week's 1-1 draw thanks to Meg Jarvis's 94th minute equaliser (keep that in mind for later).
Last season saw Eastleigh, as they were then, go out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, losing 1-0 at home to AFC Portchester. Rovers went out in the 2nd Round, losing 2-1 at Keynsham Town.
The club house end Rovers, kicking toward the marquee end, started the game at a very fast pace, pushing Sholing backwards from the first whistle. However, despite being penned in their own half and having the defend a couple of early corners, it was Sholing who go off the first real strike in anger after four minutes. Amber O'Reilly was played in on goal but found visitor's keeper George Hunt in good form.
The warning shot from the home team was not heeded by Rovers though. Four minutes later, as the clock ticked to 8 minutes, Sholing broke again. Claudia Weston slipped the ball through to Amber O'Reilly on the right. The striker proceeded to lob the ball over Hunt and into the far corner. Was it a cross gone wrong or a did she mean it? Whatever. They all count. 1-0
Bristol looked to respond immediately. Home keeper Grace Jenman had to be at her very best to keep out a stinging drive from Nia Rees. The first of many good saves from the home stopper. However, Rovers had to be very aware of the threat from Sholing on the break and, just before the quarter-hour, they almost gifted the home side a second goal. Some slack defending allowed Siena Millen to get in behind the back-line, but she couldn't make the most of the chance.
The game then settled into a pattern of Rovers pressure with Sholing defending stoutly and always looking to hit quickly on the break. Jenman was called upon once again just before the 30 minute mark, coming off her line to bravely block from Meg Jarvis after the Rovers striker broke clear. Two minutes after that, Sholing once again demonstrated their prowess on the counter-attack. O'Reilly found Millen on the right who took the shot on early, striking it low across the face of the goal and narrowly past the far post.
Almost like a game of chess at this point, Rovers continued to keep manoeuvring their pieces, looking for check-mate, whilst Sholing seemed happy to defend in the knowledge that, when they did break, they could cause problems for the visitors. In fact, Sholing's defence was now managing to restrict the Bristol chances much better than earlier on. Jenman did need to make two more stops before the break however, First blocking a low, driven Annys Turner cross with her feet at the near post and then making yet another superb diving save to keep out Meg Jarvis again.
HT Sholing 1 Bristol Rovers 0. The visitors have had almost complete control of the ball and Grace Jenman has had to make a couple of very good stops. However, Sholing have looked dangerous every time they have broken forward. Midfielder Katie Shorter has literally been everywhere on the pitch, breaking up countless Bristol moves. Classic counter-attacking football and an absolutely fascinating encounter for neutrals.
The warning shot from the home team was not heeded by Rovers though. Four minutes later, as the clock ticked to 8 minutes, Sholing broke again. Claudia Weston slipped the ball through to Amber O'Reilly on the right. The striker proceeded to lob the ball over Hunt and into the far corner. Was it a cross gone wrong or a did she mean it? Whatever. They all count. 1-0
Bristol looked to respond immediately. Home keeper Grace Jenman had to be at her very best to keep out a stinging drive from Nia Rees. The first of many good saves from the home stopper. However, Rovers had to be very aware of the threat from Sholing on the break and, just before the quarter-hour, they almost gifted the home side a second goal. Some slack defending allowed Siena Millen to get in behind the back-line, but she couldn't make the most of the chance.
The game then settled into a pattern of Rovers pressure with Sholing defending stoutly and always looking to hit quickly on the break. Jenman was called upon once again just before the 30 minute mark, coming off her line to bravely block from Meg Jarvis after the Rovers striker broke clear. Two minutes after that, Sholing once again demonstrated their prowess on the counter-attack. O'Reilly found Millen on the right who took the shot on early, striking it low across the face of the goal and narrowly past the far post.
Almost like a game of chess at this point, Rovers continued to keep manoeuvring their pieces, looking for check-mate, whilst Sholing seemed happy to defend in the knowledge that, when they did break, they could cause problems for the visitors. In fact, Sholing's defence was now managing to restrict the Bristol chances much better than earlier on. Jenman did need to make two more stops before the break however, First blocking a low, driven Annys Turner cross with her feet at the near post and then making yet another superb diving save to keep out Meg Jarvis again.
HT Sholing 1 Bristol Rovers 0. The visitors have had almost complete control of the ball and Grace Jenman has had to make a couple of very good stops. However, Sholing have looked dangerous every time they have broken forward. Midfielder Katie Shorter has literally been everywhere on the pitch, breaking up countless Bristol moves. Classic counter-attacking football and an absolutely fascinating encounter for neutrals.
Rovers laying siege There was a very noticeable increase in the urgency and pace from Rovers when the second half kicked off. An early strike from Emison Evans ensured that Jenman was alert and then, two minutes later, Meg Jarvis was played in again through the middle. Just as she was about to pull the trigger, Kathryn Littleboys managed to get back to get in a crucial challenge, forcing the striker to shoot off target. Great defending.
As Rovers continued to search for the equaliser, the game was taking on a very similar pattern to the first-half. Sholing defending and Rovers probing. The difference being that the number of Sholing counters seemed to be getting fewer. As we approached the hour mark, Sholing had not managed to get out of their own half since the break.
Rovers came very close to getting back into the game when Jenman made her first (and only) mistake of the game, taking her eye off a mis-hit Jarvis strike and allowing it to slip through her grasp, grateful to see the ball roll just past the outside of the post. Three minutes later Jenman was back in the action, once again thwarting Jarvis with another good stop. Laura Barrett then put another header over the top as the pressure kept building.
You relax against this Sholing side at your peril, however. Something that Rovers almost learned again on 68 minutes when, in their first attack of the second half, the home almost took a two-goal lead. Siena Millen's strike from outside the box looked destined for the top corner until George Hunt threw herself across the goal, pushing the ball away for a corner. If that had gone in, Rovers would have been left with a mountain to climb. As it happened, within two minutes they were finally level. Bassett's cross from the right found Meg Jarvis, who had escaped her marker, inside the box. Her first effort was brilliantly tipped against the bar by Jenman, but the striker was quick to react, smashing the loose ball past the keeper. 1-1
Rovers smelled blood now. Sholing's resistance finally broken, could they find a winner?
Jarvis came close again a few minutes later, driving her strike into the midriff of Jenman. Then, with around 12 minutes remaining, Layah Douglas was unlucky when her dipping strike cleared the goalkeeper but clipped the bar on it's way out. Nia Rees then put a shot well over and Littleboy was once again called upon to make a great block, this time from Jarvis.
As Rovers continued to search for the equaliser, the game was taking on a very similar pattern to the first-half. Sholing defending and Rovers probing. The difference being that the number of Sholing counters seemed to be getting fewer. As we approached the hour mark, Sholing had not managed to get out of their own half since the break.
Rovers came very close to getting back into the game when Jenman made her first (and only) mistake of the game, taking her eye off a mis-hit Jarvis strike and allowing it to slip through her grasp, grateful to see the ball roll just past the outside of the post. Three minutes later Jenman was back in the action, once again thwarting Jarvis with another good stop. Laura Barrett then put another header over the top as the pressure kept building.
You relax against this Sholing side at your peril, however. Something that Rovers almost learned again on 68 minutes when, in their first attack of the second half, the home almost took a two-goal lead. Siena Millen's strike from outside the box looked destined for the top corner until George Hunt threw herself across the goal, pushing the ball away for a corner. If that had gone in, Rovers would have been left with a mountain to climb. As it happened, within two minutes they were finally level. Bassett's cross from the right found Meg Jarvis, who had escaped her marker, inside the box. Her first effort was brilliantly tipped against the bar by Jenman, but the striker was quick to react, smashing the loose ball past the keeper. 1-1
Rovers smelled blood now. Sholing's resistance finally broken, could they find a winner?
Jarvis came close again a few minutes later, driving her strike into the midriff of Jenman. Then, with around 12 minutes remaining, Layah Douglas was unlucky when her dipping strike cleared the goalkeeper but clipped the bar on it's way out. Nia Rees then put a shot well over and Littleboy was once again called upon to make a great block, this time from Jarvis.
Time was running out for Rovers and, as we hit the first minute of added time, another Douglas strike that flew just wide, seemed to have signalled that the game was destined for a penalty shootout. Certainly that's what the home management must have thought when, after 93 minutes, they took off Grace Jenman to replace her with Sarah Kelsall, presumably with penalties in mind?
Even the Bristol Rovers X admin revealed later that they had already drafted a post stating that it was going to penalties. However, what everyone had forgotten was Meg Jarvis's late equaliser on Sunday. Remember that? It was the 94th minute when she struck the previous week. this week she left it a minute later. A long ball caused some hesitation in the home defence. Meg Jarvis took a gamble and, as Kelsall appeared to slip, was able to take the ball around her and slide it into an empty net. 1-2.
FT Sholing 1 Bristol Rovers 2. Late heartbreak for Sholing after a superb performance. They clearly had a game plan, which was executed almost to perfection. Credit to Rovers though. They plugged away for the entire game and, just like last week, found that little extra in added time. The game was a great advert for women's football. No shortage of skill on show, bags of determination, and two teams who gave everything they had on the day. As a neutral, I left the game with a smile on my face. Thoroughly entertained for the princely sum of five quid. You can't knock that. Good luck to Bristol Rovers in the next round.
If you want to catch either of these teams in action (and I strongly recommend you do), they are both back in league action next Sunday and, what's more, they both have local derbies. Sholing are back at home as they welcome newly promoted AFC Portchester to town. Rovers, meanwhile, make the short trip to over to the banks of the Severn to take on Portishead Town.
Sholing: 1.Jenman, 2.McHugh, 4.Freeman-Woods, 5.Littleboy, 7.Shorter, 8.Weston, 9.O'Reilly, 14.Phillips-Foreman(c), 17.Browning, 19.Millen, 20.Bates. Subs: 3.Pinnock, 6.Serridge, 10.Dickinson, 11.Flegg, 12.Hudson, 13.Kelsall
Bristol Rovers: 1.Hunt, 2.Douglas, 5.Bassett, 7.Ackerman, 9.Jarvis, 10.Rees, 12.Evans, 21.Exley, 25.Barrett, 17.Bourne-Hallett(c), 26.Hayward. Subs: 3.Warren, 11.Todd, 14.Wannell, 16.Turner, 19.Wilson, 20.Bellotti, 22.Clay
Even the Bristol Rovers X admin revealed later that they had already drafted a post stating that it was going to penalties. However, what everyone had forgotten was Meg Jarvis's late equaliser on Sunday. Remember that? It was the 94th minute when she struck the previous week. this week she left it a minute later. A long ball caused some hesitation in the home defence. Meg Jarvis took a gamble and, as Kelsall appeared to slip, was able to take the ball around her and slide it into an empty net. 1-2.
FT Sholing 1 Bristol Rovers 2. Late heartbreak for Sholing after a superb performance. They clearly had a game plan, which was executed almost to perfection. Credit to Rovers though. They plugged away for the entire game and, just like last week, found that little extra in added time. The game was a great advert for women's football. No shortage of skill on show, bags of determination, and two teams who gave everything they had on the day. As a neutral, I left the game with a smile on my face. Thoroughly entertained for the princely sum of five quid. You can't knock that. Good luck to Bristol Rovers in the next round.
If you want to catch either of these teams in action (and I strongly recommend you do), they are both back in league action next Sunday and, what's more, they both have local derbies. Sholing are back at home as they welcome newly promoted AFC Portchester to town. Rovers, meanwhile, make the short trip to over to the banks of the Severn to take on Portishead Town.
Sholing: 1.Jenman, 2.McHugh, 4.Freeman-Woods, 5.Littleboy, 7.Shorter, 8.Weston, 9.O'Reilly, 14.Phillips-Foreman(c), 17.Browning, 19.Millen, 20.Bates. Subs: 3.Pinnock, 6.Serridge, 10.Dickinson, 11.Flegg, 12.Hudson, 13.Kelsall
Bristol Rovers: 1.Hunt, 2.Douglas, 5.Bassett, 7.Ackerman, 9.Jarvis, 10.Rees, 12.Evans, 21.Exley, 25.Barrett, 17.Bourne-Hallett(c), 26.Hayward. Subs: 3.Warren, 11.Todd, 14.Wannell, 16.Turner, 19.Wilson, 20.Bellotti, 22.Clay
The MDS
The Ground
Sholing FC play their home games at what is now known as The Mortgage Decisions Stadium, between Sholing and Old Netley, just to the South-East of Southampton. The ground was previously known as VT Sports Club, which reflects the team's past as Vosper Thornycroft FC, works team of the locla shipbuilding company. The ground is set back from Portsmouth Road and accessed via a small service road that leads to the main car park outside the clubhouse. There is also additional parking on the adjacent land next to Netley Bowls Club. Access is through a single turnstile which brings you in behind the car park end goal, next to the marquee structure that houses the bar. There is also a club house next to this (closed for today's game). There is ample spectator cover around the ground for both standing and seating. There is also a media tower just on the halfway line and a very good (loud) PA system. The playing surface, which looked in good condition, does slope slightly back toward the clubhouse end.
One really nice touch was the addition of printed team sheets on he tables in the marquee.
Ground Number: 421
Att: 170
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: N/A
Sholing FC play their home games at what is now known as The Mortgage Decisions Stadium, between Sholing and Old Netley, just to the South-East of Southampton. The ground was previously known as VT Sports Club, which reflects the team's past as Vosper Thornycroft FC, works team of the locla shipbuilding company. The ground is set back from Portsmouth Road and accessed via a small service road that leads to the main car park outside the clubhouse. There is also additional parking on the adjacent land next to Netley Bowls Club. Access is through a single turnstile which brings you in behind the car park end goal, next to the marquee structure that houses the bar. There is also a club house next to this (closed for today's game). There is ample spectator cover around the ground for both standing and seating. There is also a media tower just on the halfway line and a very good (loud) PA system. The playing surface, which looked in good condition, does slope slightly back toward the clubhouse end.
One really nice touch was the addition of printed team sheets on he tables in the marquee.
Ground Number: 421
Att: 170
Entrance: £5.00
Programme: N/A
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