For the first time this season, fans would see the new revamped AEI Stadium. From improved floodlights, to an entirely new pitch, fans were eager to see all the new updates.

On that note of ‘new’, we would also be facing an opposition who are still finding their feet in step three. Last weekend Farnham marked their first game in ‘step 3’ of non league, at home to Hungerford. A game they went onto win courtesy of a goal from Bobby Taylor. Yet despite the win, it marked the first time in over 840 days in which they were not in 1st place. I think that sums up the club’s growth over the last few years!

As for Gosport they marked their first game of the 25/26 season with a 4-2 defeat away to Gloucester City. Danny Hollands and Glenn Howes made just the one change from that game with Harvey Solley coming in for Rafael Ramos.

Three minutes into the game, BORO’ were very fortunate to not concede. Joe Morrison’s sidewards pass was easily read by Adam Liddle, just outside the 18 yard box. Pouncing forward the striker went one-on-one against Hall, with the striker shooting wide.

Liddle this time became provider, left of the box, he cut back to Sanders outside ‘The D’. The Nu10 managed to get real power behind the shot, but it flew wide.

It was on the twenty minute mark when the visitors’ capitalised. A corner swung in towards the front post, cleverly picked out Mat Mackenzie, and the midfielder glanced past Hall to get the goal.1 - 0

Gosport showed great resilience after going down, and it took them just five minutes to find the equaliser. Since signing from Havant & Waterlooville we’ve seen great glimpses of Kaya Tshaka, but had yet to see his true shooting ability. Well he certainly showed us that potential tonight, when he launched a rocket past Oualah to level the scores. 1 - 1

Gosport really upped the tempo after scoring and it wasn’t long before they put the ball in the back of the Farnham net for the second time. Tshaka again intercepting a ball on the halfway line, slid a through ball into Ethan Taylor. Despite the ex-Totton man burying home the effort, the flag was raised for offside.

Just before the break, the hosts’ did manage to find their second goal which would stand. Taylor at the heart of the attack again, outside the 18 yard box, flicked a ball through into Benny Read right of the 6 yard box. It looked like a really tough angle, but that didn’t faze Read, as the right-back blazed a shot onto the underside of the crossbar which rolled over the line, to give us the lead going into the break.

Half-Time: Gosport Borough 2-1 Farnham Town

Ten minutes after the restart Trevor Caborn left of centre, 25 yards out, attempted to scoop an audacious shot over the Farnham keeper. Oualah had to stretch back to tip the effort over the bar.

We had to wait until the 78th minute, before we saw some more clear cut opportunities, one of which would result in another goal… BORO’ capitalised from a free-kick as a ball was crossed deep into the Farnham box. Charlie Wassmer climbed to reach the pass, nodding home to cushion our advantage. 3 - 1

Farnham tenaciously found a way to keep themselves in the game after going down. Three minutes after conceding, one of Joe Jackson’s crosses fell for Sam Evans. The striker being a nuisance for the Gosport defence, threw a right boot at the ball which was enough to guide the ball in the back of the net. 3 - 2

Their hopes of finding points were fully reignited when they were awarded a penalty. A BORO’ handball was flagged inside their own box, granting the visitors’ the perfect opportunity to even up the score. Up stood Bobby Taylor who rifled home to make it 3-3.

Up the other end of the pitch, Gosport had a late chance to nick a late goal. Kaya Tshaka was pulled just outside the Farnham penalty box, seeing a free-kick awarded. Ethan Taylor stood up and finessed a shot, agonisingly wide.

There would still be one last talking point, quite literally! This was when Charlie Wassmer in the second minute of added time got himself two yellow cards in the span of twenty seconds. One for a foul committed and the other given for words said to the referee.

The 10-men Gosport-side were able to see out the rest of the game to and it ended all square.

Full-Time: Gosport Borough 3-3 Farnham Town.

This must have been a fantastic game to watch for any neutrals at the AEI Stadium, and most likely a very nervy one at times from both sets of fans. This game did secure our first point of the league season, which we will be hoping to add to when we host Berkhamsted this coming Saturday. We’ll see you then, but final words from me: UP THE BORO!!!

Pictures by Jack Aldridge

Over 1,000 fans pack the park for this midweek game - Thank You