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New signing Patrick Cox had an instant impact
for Alex Pike's Boro' has they comfortable swept aside Bideford.
Cox, signed yesterday from Salisbury, went straight into
Pike's starting line-up but skipper Dave Birmingham was forced for withdraw
just before kick-off after pulling a hamstring in the pre-match warm-up.
Boro', still smarting from the midweek FA Cup exit, were
immediately in control and Armstrong-Ford had to be alert to keep out James
Taylor as he attempted to open his Gosport account.
Taylor went close again before his strike partner Justin
Bennett decided to get in on the act but Armstrong-Ford was again on hand to
keep the ball out.
After Cox had had a goal disallowed for a foul on the
'keeper, The Robins began to get themselves into the match but Boro's
defence withstood anything thrown at them.
The opening goal of an entertaining half finally came just
over five minutes before the break when Cox saw Armstrong-Ford off his line
and coolly lobbed the 'keeper.
Boro' doubled their advantage straight after the restart
and it was Cox again who thundered the ball home from 10 yards after Bennett
had created the opening.
Bideford replied immediately and it took an alert Grant
Porter to beat away Mudge's effort.
Boro' then had another Cox goal disallowed before The
Robins grabbed themselves a lifeline when Mudge buried a penalty with 20
minutes left to play.
But Gosport reclaimed their two goal advantage on 76
minutes when Ian Jones decided to take on Bideford single-handedly, waltzing
through the defence to blast a low shot into the net from close range.
With Boro' in control, Bideford's defence looked a tired
outfit and Bennett took full advantage by adding a fourth three minutes
later.
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