YOUNG Woolston lad Nick Yeomans brought a ray of sunshine to a grey, wet and windy afternoon at Sholing on Saturday.

The smile on the face of the Boatmen’s substitute lit up the Silverlake Arena as he netted the fifth and final goal of a convincing 5-0 victory over Laverstock & Ford in the Sydenhams League Cup.

It was his first goal for the senior team and showed just why manager Dave Diaper decided to sign him on contract along with fellow teenage talent Jake Hoole.

“Just to see young Nick’s face when he scored made the afternoon,” said Diaper.

“He and Jake Hoole, who’s a Netley boy, are both lads who live within three miles of the ground and it’s great to be bringing locally-born players through. Not many teams can say that.

“They know when they sign for Sholing that they will get an opportunity here. Myself and Stu (assistant Stuart Hussey) are hell-bent on working with kids and creating a bit of a legacy.

“It’s not a one-off either. We’ve done this for the last six or seven years. Marvin McLean’s still here and he’s been with the club from the age of 15 onwards.”

Yeomans, who has just turned 18, struck in the 78th minute, tapping home the rebound from McLean’s blocked shot.

By then Sholing were cruising thanks to goals from Doug Rowe, skipper Byron Mason and another two from their unstoppable marksman Dan Mason, who has now scored six in his last three games and 23 for the season.

“Dan’s not on the fringes any more as he was when we were a Southern League club and I think he feels more relaxed and part of it,” said Diaper.

“He’s more mature and, although he would admit himself that he’s still quite green in some areas, he’s learning every day.”

Having buried McLean’s cross to open the scoring on 31 minutes, Dan Mason contributed to Sholing’s second four minutes later when his shot was tipped onto the bar by ’keeper Ryan Proud and bounced down for Rowe to nod over the line.

The Boatmen’s third came right on half-time when big brother Byron headed home Kev Brewster’s whipped-in free-kick and Dan Mason got his second after the break before Yeomans added the finishing flourish, making it seven wins on the spin for Sholing.

Diaper is expected to field a mix of youth and experience for Wednesday's Russell Cotes Cup tie at home to Horndean. All attention then turns to Saturday’s big FA Vase tie away at Buckland Athletic.