THE curtain has fallen on 11 magical years for Barry Mason at Sholing.
After an incredible 556 games for the Boatmen, the loyal striker/wideman has moved down the road to Sydenhams Premier Division rivals Hamble Club.
With manager Dave Diaper keen to bring young talent through, Mason - a key member of the FA Vase-winning side of 2014 - was not playing as many games as he would have liked.
“I spoke to Barry when I signed him on during pre-season and said that, due to the size of the squad and our policy of giving youth the opportunity to progress, that he would not be starting every game," Diaper explained.
“Baz still signed because he loves the club. However, although he has made 27 appearances this season, he felt frustrated at not starting games. I can fully understand and sympathise with that and when Knells (Ben Kneller, Hamble manager) called me, I gave him permission to talk to him.
"I would like to publicly thank Bazza for all he has done for the Boatmen and salute his loyalty and commitment over 556 games for the club and wish him well for the future."
Several youngsters featured as Sholing overwhelmed rock-bottom Petersfield Town 6-0 yesterday, but it was established star Lee Wort who stole the spotlight with a hat-trick.
Rory Wood, Jamie Bulpitt and an own goal completed the scoring, taking the Boatmen up to third.
It’s as you were at the top with leaders Andover Town and chasing Blackfield & Langley both enjoying emphatic victories.
Andover had a point to prove in their rematch with Alresford Town, who had inflicted their first league defeat of the season.
Zach Glasspool (2), Mike Gosney (2) and Alex Dockree ensured that revenge was sweet in a 5-2 win – three of those goals coming from the penalty spot against an injury-hit Magpies side who scored through Manny Yeboah and Ben White.
There was another win and another clean sheet for Blackfield who emerged 4-0 winners at Hamble Club through Rico Wilson, Sam Griffin, Liam Robinson and Franklyn Clarke.
The keepers were the stars of the show in a 0-0 New Forest derby - Lymington Town’s Ross Casey and Brock youngster Ed Kitcher proving impossible to beat.
The points were also shared at Bournemouth Poppies (Ed Bastista) where Team Solent forced a 1-1 draw.
First-half strikes from Lewis Ross and Harrison White secured Bashley's 2-0 win at Portland United, while Shaftesbury overcame Amesbury 3-2 through Ash Clarke, Nick Hewlett and Bailey Hodge.
The games at Baffins Milton Rovers and Fareham Town were postponed.
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