So far this season, we have come up against three opponents located in higher leagues: Oxford, Tonbridge Angels and Wealdstone, all of which we won, other the last team whom we couldn’t find a result against. Admittedly Worthing would put up a much harder test, sitting 5th in the National League South and coming off an impressive 3-0 win over league leaders, Weston Super-Mare.

On the 23rd minute, Danny Hollands in the middle of the park capitalised on a loose pass. The former Pompey man played on Faniyan who saw the Worthing keeper off his line and went for goal. Recovering well Haigh backpedaled and made the save.

Just a minute later, The rebels broke the deadlock. Colbran down the wing whipped in a ball in search of a red body. Instead found an outstretched Wassmer with the defender passing the cross into the back of his own net.

Despite conceding, the boys in blue & white did not drop their heads. Continuing to hold their shape meant the hosts’ could not create any more chances as it finished at the break:

Half-Time: Worthing 1-0 Gosport Borough

Five minutes after the re-start we had a great chance to get back onto level terms. With two goal contribution in his last three games it looked promising he would find another, after the winger darted towards goal. With space and time the attacker drove a low-driven effort towards the far corner with Haigh’s right boot denying the goal.

Up the other end of the pitch, Worthing had two opportunities in quick succession. Spong from the edge of the box tested new keeper, Philpot as the BORO’ keeper got a strong hand to the shot. Despite saving this shot it did look like he was beaten a minute later when the wind parried Beard’s shot a whisker wide.

Top goalscorer Danny Cashman could have made it two when the striker wrapped his deadly right boot around the ball, with his effort clipping the post.

The Worthing keeper was definitely shaping out to be a contender for the POTM award. With twenty minutes left on the clock, Dan Wooden was left in a one-on-one against Haigh, it was once again the keeper who came out victorious making another superb save!

Probably Gosport’s best chance of the game up until that point came from Faniyan squaring a ball towards substitute Yearwood. The pass narrowly evaded the attacker and you would have to think if contact was made it would have resulted with a goal.

Despite it looking like it might not be our day, in typical Dan Wooden fashion he found a way to rescue BORO’. A poor pass back from Rea was collected by the bandaged-attacker before the Wooden slotted home to put us back onto level terms! With this goal coming deep into added time it meant our cup progress would be defined by a penalty shoot-out.

The first four penalties saw a mirror of either team. Cashman for Worthing and skipper Rory Williams were both the first to take, and both found the back of the net. This contrasted the second batch where Colbran and goalscorer Wooden missed their set-pieces.

The next big milestone of this shootout came on the fourth when Young had his shot saved by Philpott. Returning back from injury Brad Tarbuck had the chance to give us the advantage in the shootout and rifling home he did just that.

All the pressure was left on Babalola and the home team player must have felt it as his shot hit the crossbar, sending the southern-league side through.

Full-Time: Worthing 1-1 Gosport Borough (PENS: 2-3)

This now marks our third giant killing of the season, leaving many complacent Worthing fans speechless after the result. BORO’ will be hoping for a tasty draw on Monday, and hopefully we can carry on our trip to Wembley. Final words from me, UP THE BORO!!!

Gosport Starting XI
Philpott, Kavanagh, Walsh-Smith, Wassmer, Morrison, Lee, Hollands, Murray, Faniyan, Stanley, Wooden

Subs: Searle, Williams, Tarbuck, Yearwood, Cope, Jones