Match Preview
Sholing FC v Yate Town
Southern League Premier Division South
Saturday 10th January – kick-off 3.00pm
Be there to support YOUR local club.
The third attempt to start 2026, with an away game at Sholing FC, is scheduled for this Saturday, following the last two games for the Bluebells being postponed due to the frosty weather. After 2 weeks without a game Yate Town will be looking to build on their excellent 1-0 win at Evesham in their final game of 2025.
Form guide
This is Sholing FC’s third season at this level having been promoted from the Southern League Division One South at the end of season 2022/23 via the play-offs. Their inaugural season in Step 3 saw them finish in 15th place and last season they finished 11th.
The Boatmen currently sit in 6th place, in a play-off position, having won 10 of their 24 league games, drawing 9 and losing 5. They have scored 42 goals and conceded 32 times.
Last Saturday they lost by the odd goal in seven at Havant & Waterlooville with Jack McCarthy scoring at hattrick but ending up on the losing side. Going back to the start of November, Sholing FC have played 11 games in this period winning 5 drawing 4 and losing 2. Their last home game saw Basingstoke win 4-1 and Bracknell were the previous winners at their ground, winning 1-0 back in early November. Their other home games have seen wins against Dorchester (2-1), Evesham (3-0) and Hungerford (5-3) whilst drawing at home to Walton & Hersham (1-1). Away from home they won 1-0 at Poole Town at the end of December and have also won at Uxbridge (2-0) with draws at Wimborne (1-1), Plymouth Parkway (1-1) and Berkhamsted (1-1).
Recent meetings
Prior to the 0-0 draw played at the South West Interiors Stadium on the opening day of this season, the clubs have played each other 8 times in the past over a period of four seasons – the last being in season 2014/2015. In these 8 games the Bluebells have won 3, drawn 1 and lost 4 with each side scoring 12 goals and therefore conceding the same number. The last two games in season 2014/2015 saw the Bluebells get the double over Sholing FC winning 4-2 on the south coast (with substitute Nuno Felix scoring) and the game at Lodge Road saw a 4-1 win with both Jordan Rogers and Jake Jackson scoring twice for Yate Town.
Goalmouth action from the opening game of this season.
Getting there
Directions:
Using the Motorway M27, exit at Junction 8 (marked So’ton East, Hamble A3024)
Get into the left-hand lane for the B3397 to Hamble.
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit towards Hamble, go past Tescos (get in right hand land, left hand lane is to Tesco’s only).
Go straight across roundabout and then straight across the following one.
Then turn right at the sign marked for Woolston A3025.
This takes you onto Portsmouth Road, go past the Plough Pub on your left and after quarter of a mile, turn right into Sholing FC (opposite layby)
Entrance road is Single Track
To ensure access for Emergency vehicles, please do not park where traffic cones are or in front of gates
The address of the ground is: The Mortgage Decisions Stadium, Portsmouth Rd, Southampton SO19 9PW
The travel time from Yate should be just under 2 hours (via M4 and A34) for the 100-mile journey.
Car Parking: Hard standing parking is available for 100 cars (£3 per game) is on the right. Free parking is available on the grass to the left of the main entrance. To ensure access for Emergency vehicles, do not park where traffic cones are or in front of gates to allow ease of access.
Other information
Ticket prices: Adults: £15, Concessions £10 and Under 19s are £5
Next up
The Bluebells are home on Tuesday evening to Bristol Manor Farm in the GFA Cup (kick-off 7.45pm) and then travel south again on Saturday 17th January to play Poole Town in a Southern League fixture.