Gosport came into this game off the back of a 2-0 win over Bracknell and were looking to build on that momentum, trying to keep hot on the heels of Sholing who are currently still occupying that last playoff position. As for Poole Town they are also looking to solidify their spot in the playoff places, led by former managers, Pat Suraci and Joe Lea, who I’m sure would have wanted to get one over their former side.

Coming into this game it was just the one change mot the eleven that beat Bracknell. Michael Fernandes in for Adam Tomasso, suggesting of a change of formations.

Gosport dominated proceedings early on but this didn’t stop Poole from having some great opportunities early doors. Charlie Davis and Harvey Slade both optimistically took shots at goal from outside the penalty area in a five minute patch on twenty minutes. Both shots had venom but both sailed high of Thomas’ crossbar.

The home side came close to taking the lead through a corner on 38 minutes when Ben Greenwood’s left footed in-swinger curled towards the front post which was met by Joe Oastler. The towering defender got his head to the ball but just couldn’t keep his headed effort under the crossbar.

BORO’ followed that up three minutes later by hitting the crossbar. Michael Fernandes twenty yards out connected well with the ball and blasted a shot at goal. The ball flew through a crowd of purple shirts, only to be denied by the frame of the crossbar.

Michael turned provider before the break though when he was played a good pass down the right flank by Harry Kavanagh. Still with a lot of work to do, Fernandes effortlessly chopped in and out of Campbell before cutting back to Brad Tarbuck outside the area. The Gosport skipper picked out the far corner to give Gosport the deserved lead at the death of the first half.

Half-Time | Gosport Borough 1-0 Poole Town

Five minutes after the re-start, one of the seven former BORO’ players in Poole’s side, Adam Parkes, made an integral save to keep the score as it was. Tarbuck blasted a shot at the palms of Adam Parkes which forcefully carried the ball onto the crossbar for the second time in the afternoon.

Parkes was kept busy a few minutes later when he needed to deny Ben Greenwood’s volleyed effort. The Poole Town Nu1 got a strong right hand to push it out for a corner ball in which nothing came from it.

Despite Poole Town largely dominating possession in the second 45’ it still felt as though Gosport had a firm tight hold over this game. This was largely down to the cohesion in the defence and midfield, eliminating the threat of the visitors’. Gosport even came close again on 77 minutes when Jordan Ngalo rocketed an effort into the side netting, a shot which was very deceiving as most of the AEI Stadium was left celebrating thinking it had flown into the back of the net.

The game should have been finished off in added time when Gosport led a counter which resulted with two of our substitutes linking up infront of goal. Dan Wooden unselfishly switched to Ethan Taylor unmarked at the back post. Parkes got off his line quickly, making himself big, and the right boot of the keeper was enough to deny Taylor’s low-driven effort.

Seconds following this shot, the full-time whistle went, with it finishing:

Full-Time | Gosport Borough 1-0 Poole Town

Two consecutive wins, and also two consecutive clean-sheets, which keeps Gosport firmly in the playoff race. Up next Gosport will be looking to book their spot in the Portsmouth Senior Cup final when they play AFC Portchester at the AEI Stadium in the semis midweek, so we’ll see you then. But final words from me: UP THE BORO!!!

Cover Picture by Jack Aldridge
Crowd Screenshot from Nuno Cardoso