There’s nothing like a Boxing Day local-ish football derby.

This year for the traditional festive fixture, we cross the border into Hampshire. The Boatmen were promoted to the Southern Prem at the end of the 2022-23 season, after finishing second to Totton, then defeating Wimborne, and Hamworthy in the play-offs. Last season they finished 15^th with 49 points, just one point above relegated Beaconsfield – and this season is shaping up to be as tight in the bottom half of the division.

In this campaign, manager Paul Doswell’s team won four, drew three, and lost two of their opening nine games, the ninth of which was a 5-1 thumping of Havant & Waterlooville at home. Surprisingly, they then embarked on a winless eight game league run. But with some fresh faces, results have improved this month with a 4-1 win at Bracknell, a 2-1 home victory over Plymouth Parkway, and a 90+5^th minute 2-1 loss at Totton on Saturday. As a result Sholing sit 11^th with a W6 D7 L7 GF 26 GA 32 record, at home it’s W3 D4 L3.

Instrumental in their December turnround is striker Michael Folivi who bagged all four against Bracknell and scored against Plymouth and Totton; Watford and Colchester are among his previous clubs. Midfielder Blaise Riley-Snow, ex Hendon, is another recent recruit as Doswell puts his mark on the squad, although the player was red-carded at Totton. Charlie Gunson is a familiar name in midfield who joined in the summer.

In the current form table (last six games), The Boatmen sit 13^th with a W2 D1 L3 record. That’s six places above The Magpies’ W1 D1 L4. Out of interest Taunton, Poole, and Chertsey are the teams below us. Our last win was 3-0 over Taunton, and the draw 1-1 with Dorchester, both at the Wyatt Homes Stadium. However, we’ve yet to pick up a point this month, losing 2-1 at Basingstoke then 4-2 at home to Winchester on Saturday when Will Fletcher scored a late brace.

On our travels this season, Wimborne have the second worst record in the division W1 D1 L7 – only bottom club Marlow have collected fewer away points. We’ve now slipped to 17th in the table with a W6 D3 L10 GF 22 GA 34 record.

How have we fared on our previous Southern League visits to Sholing? In our first three seasons, beginning 2010-11, we lost each time: 3-0, 1-0, and 1-0. In 2014-15 we won 3-1. Then in 2022-23 we drew 0-0 before losing 2-1 in the play-off semi-final. Thursday’s game will be the first meeting between the teams in the Southern Premier.

Sholing will go into the game as favourites. But manager Tim Sills will be expecting a reaction from his team after Saturday’s disappointing performance. And with Toby Holmes keen to continue his remarkable scoring ratio for The Magpies, anything is possible. COYM!

Sholing’s ground: Portsmouth Road, Southampton  SO19 9PW  – approx 40 miles

Admission prices: Adult : £12; over 65s : £8;  disabled : £8  13-19s : £5; u12s : free (with adult).

“Hard-standing parking is available for 100 cars (£3). Free parking is available on the grass to the left of the main entrance.”

Average att: 569

Weather forecast: cloudy; 10oC; 10% chance of rain.