BYRON Mason’s reappearance at Sholing on Wednesday was more than just a fleeting visit.

The powerhouse midfielder, who captained the Boatmen to a glittering FA Vase/Sydenhams Premier double last term, will likely stay for the rest of the season, writes WENDY GEE.

Mason left Sholing in October to step up into the Vanarama Conference South with Gosport Borough.

But Alex Pike’s men are on such a roll right now – sitting third in the table with easily the meanest defence – that opportunities have been hard to come by for the combative 27-year-old.

Desperate-ly in need of match practice, Mason returned to Sholing for Wednesday’s last-gasp 2-1 Hampshire FA Senior Cup win over Tadley and is likely to get another start at Evesham tomorrow in the Southern One South & West.

“Byron’s only had about 40 minutes of football in the last six weeks and it was pleasing to have him back with us,” said the Boatmen’s boss Dave Diaper.

“Alex (Pike) is very fortunate to have a team that can’t stop winning and it’s hard to change a winning line-up.

“Byron understands that and, as far as I know, he’s back with us now.

“I think it would be best to wait now until the end of the season and, if Alex wants to revisit Byron, to do it then.

“Byron’s not played much, but it won’t take long for him to get back into it.”

Diaper would love to get ex-Boatmen’s hotshot Lee Wort back from Gosport too.

But, despite the outstanding form of Borough’s 32-goal strike duo of Justin Bennett and Matt Paterson, Wort is gradually making his mark at Privett Park and was on target against Havant & Waterlooville in Tuesday’s 2-0 Hampshire Cup triumph.

“Alex has got people who can score goals and that’s one thing we’re lacking at the moment, we’re looking a bit blunt up top” said Diaper.

“Lee’s on my Christmas list, but I don’t think it’s going to happen!” he smiled. “Lee’s a sensible lad and he knows that while the front two of Bennett and Paterson are firing like they are it’s going to be difficult to get in the Gosport team, but it was good to hear he scored the other night.”

Sholing trailed 1-0 to Sydenhams One visitors Tadley on Wednesday when James Tennant struck on the brink of half-time.

It remained that way until the last ten minutes when TJ Cuthbertson and Daniel Mason turned the tie around.

Dual-signed Brockenhurst ’keeper Rory Anderson continues in goal tomorrow while Matt Brown (broken finger) and Lee Webber (cut leg) remain sidelined.

Centre-back Dan Miller (foot) is still ten days away from fitness but there’s a chance full-back Sam Olaofe (back) will return.