DAN Mason's goal proved to be enough for Sholing to retain the Russell Cotes Cup, with a 1-0 victory over Lymington Town.

Sholing, who lifted the trophy in May 2019, had to wait 17 months to step out again in the final due to delays to the competition caused by coronavirus.

But it proved to be worth the wait as they edged past their Wessex Premier opponents at Mackoy Stadium.

In the 100th year of the Hampshire FA tournament, the Boatmen made the brighter start to the showpiece event as they looked for a confidence-boosting win ahead of their huge sell-out FA Cup clash against Torquay United this weekend.

Dan Miller headed against the crossbar, while both Alex Sawyer and Brad Targett tested Lymo goalkeeper Ross Casey.

The visitors began to work their way into the contest, but were dealt a sucker-punch just before half-time. Byron Mason's dipping effort was tipped behind by Casey, but from Jake Hoole's respective corner, the ball found Dan Mason to turn in beyond a crowd of bodies.

Dom Falco saw a shout for a penalty waved away after the restart for Lymington, before Steve Flynn and Rian Drake both went close.

At the other end, Nick Watts missed a glorious chance to make the game 2-0, while Claudio Herbert also fired off target.

Lymington pushed forwards until the end, but could not quite make the breakthrough as Dave Diaper's side took the trophy.

Sholing: Gosney, Sawyer, M McLean, Roundell, Miller, Wagstaffe (Buckland, 85), Targett (Watts, 74), B Mason, Herbert, Hoole, D Mason.

Unused subs: PJ McLean, Bulpitt, Deacon.