SHOLING won their first league match of Dave Diaper’s second spell in charge thanks to Mike Byrne’s first goal for the club – but their injury woes continue.
The Boatmen’s fourth win in five games since Diaper returned to the helm came at a cost, with captain Barry Mason forced off at half-time with a neck injury and goalkeeper Matt Brown definitely out of next week’s FA Trophy tie against Conference South Farnborough with a broken finger.
“We’ve been plagued by injuries all season – that’s five or six first-team players out now,” said Diaper.
“It’s a blow for us to be without Matt because he’s such a good goalkeeper. The Farnborough game is massive for us and the last thing we need is to be without our goalkeeper.
“Matt complained about the pain at half-time but played the full game and went to hospital where they confirmed the break afterwards.
“He’s got to see a hand specialist this week but hopefully Barry will be ok for Saturday.”
The Boatmen led at the break through Nick Watts, who swept in the 39th-minute opener at the far post after Mason’s cross was parried.
But Mangotsfield equalised and hit the crossbar with a diving header in the opening ten minutes of the second half.
Without regular penalty-taker Mason, Watts missed the chance to double the lead from the spot in the 57th minute.
But six minutes later Byrne headed in the winner from a Kevin Brewster corner.
Within two minutes of the restart Mangotsfield missed the chance to equalise from close range. And despite his injury Brown denied them following a goalmouth scramble.
But Sholing, who were watched by a crowd of 129, were well worth their win and had chances to score more.
Defenders TJ Cuthbertson missed a good early headed chance and substitute Sam Wilson had a shot cleared off the line in injury time.
Diaper said: “I’m really pleased with our progress, it was a really good performance against a team with some really decent players.
“Their approach play was very good but they just lacked an end product. I thought we’d missed the chance to get an extra two points when we missed the penalty.
“But I don’t think it should have been given anyway and we showed that we’ve got some big-hearted players.”
Diaper will field “an experimental side” at Follands Sports in the Russell Cotes Cup tomorrow night.
Sholing: Brown, Brewster (Fear 90), Nwachukwu, Cuthbertson, Byrne, Sawyer, B. Mason (Manders 45), Smith, D.Mason, Baldacchino (Wilson 72), Watts.
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