DAVE Diaper admitted Sholing’s transformation in the last six weeks had been “unbelievable” following Saturday’s 6-3 goal feast against bottom-of-the-table Bishops Cleeve.

Diaper, who took up the reins again at the beginning of November, might have wondered if his Midas touch had deserted him when the Boatmen went in 2-2 at the break at Portsmouth Road.

But their rediscovered self-belief shone through as they romped into a handsome 6-2 lead before Jack Watts replied with 11 minutes remaining.

It was Watts who had spectacularly opened the scoring just two minutes in after finding himself in space some 25 yards out.

But Sholing hit back at the double with Barry Mason pouncing on the rebound after the keeper had saved his 19th-minute penalty following a foul on Dan Miller and then Alex Sawyer setting up Nick Watts to fire into the roof of the net.

Cleeve responded with a penalty of their own conceded by fit-again centre-back Miller, in for the suspended Mike Byrne, and converted by Joe Tustain.

But there was no holding Sholing after the break.

Daniel, the youngest of the Mason brothers, put clear daylight between the sides with two goals in five minutes – first taking a touch to control a cross before firing low past the keeper and then racing onto a dinked ball over the top and netting from a narrow angle.

Watts then weighed in with his second, twisting and turning his way into the box and unleashing a fierce shot which deflected off a defender and flew inside the near post.

Barry Mason cannoned a shot off the woodwork before the third Mason brother, Byron, calmly squared a pass to sub Sam Wilson who prodded in goal number six from close range.

Bishops’ industry was rewarded with Jack Watts’s second of the afternoon before Sholing keeper Rory Anderson – a spectator for most of the second half – did well to tip another goalbound effort over.

“Both teams were intent on attacking. For us to score four in the second half was really good but not completely unexpected because we put a lot of teams to the sword kicking towards the clubhouse end,” said Diaper, who has led his rejuvenated side to seven wins from their last ten league and cup games.

“The transformation over the last few weeks has been unbelievable,” he confessed. “The players have smiles on their faces because, if you’re winning games, you’re happy.

“We’ve had quite a few enquiries from other clubs who’ve seen certain players not playing and wanting to take them on loan, but I’ve spoken to the players and they all want to stay. You’ve got to value that.”

Sholing remain 17th in the Evo-Stik Southern One South & West, locked on 23 points with Swindon Supermarine who will host them on Tuesday.