Following the revelation revealed yesterday morning that joint-head coaches Pat Suraci and Joe Lea would be departing the club, a new management trio would be taking the reins: Consisting of, Mark Summerhill, Rory Williams and Danny Hollands. It would not be an easy start for the trio as they would be taking on Bracknell, four points ahead of BORO’ with a win for Gosport allowing that to be narrowed down to one.

Almost like a basketball game within the first five minutes, the team two sides were at each other’s throats. Starting with Bracknell in the second minute Parkes being tested early on as Boorn fired a shot towards the near post forcing a save from the young keeper. Henry Spalding came back a minute later for Gosport. Following his impressive display last week, Henry went looking for his first BORO’ goal. However with a tight angle made for an easy save by Eacott.

Five minutes onwards, Dobson’s through ball met up with Rollinson allowing for the winger to have an opportunity at goal. Stabbing a ball towards the near post meant the ball squeezed past Parkes to give the visitors the one goal advantage. 0 - 1

Despite going down we nearly immediately equalised a minute later. Alfie Stanley on the
counter ran the length of the pitch which took him to a one-vs-one against Eacott. The Robins captain made a crucial save to keep their lead.

Gosport went searching for their first equaliser and a cushioned header from a corner kick did the trick…We talked about Spalding’s great crossing earlier on and he managed to add another great cross to that list! An in-swinging corner found the head of Stanley as the striker flicked home to put us back in it! 1 - 1

Ten minutes for the half-time whistle, the ‘Robins’ cushioned their lead. Boorn worked himself on the end of a long-ranged pass before progressing into the BORO’ box. Sliding a shot under Parkes made it two, in the attacker’s first goal of the season. 2 - 1

Once again coming from behind to get back onto level terms. Dobson playing it in the back of his own resulted in an unfortunate own goal just before the break.

Half-Time: Gosport Borough 2-2 Bracknell

I’m pretty sure Henry Spalding must have been Iniesta in disguise across the last two games because he conjured another blinder of a pass into Asher Yearwood. Bringing it down with his chest, the former Beaconsfield man rocketed past the visitors’ skipper to give us the lead. 3 - 2

After just netting his first of the game, Asher was soon to get his brace. In the aftermath of Harrison’s goal-denying challenge, the substitute saw red, and BORO’ were awarded a penalty. Up stood Yearwood, slotting home in his 14th league goal of the season. 4 - 2

Despite the two goal cushion on the 90th minute Bracknell added a lot of late pressure from they found a lifeline. Liam Tack getting in behind the Gosport back line, lashed one into the far corner to pull a late goal back. 4 - 3

Despite this goal, the hosts’ withheld the late attacks which resulted with a three lucrative points.

Full-Time: Gosport Borough 4-3 Bracknell

What a way to start the new chapter! Showing great character, the new management will be extremely happy with this performance, now pushing us up to eighth in the league. We next face Taunton Saturday in another clash which could have large ramifications when it comes to the playoffs race. So we’ll see you then. Final words from me: UP THE BORO!!!

Gosport Starting XI
Parkes, Kavanagh, Wassmer, Morrison, Spalding, Smith, Hollands, Yearwood, Stanley, Tarbuck, Wooden

Subs: Agbeseyi, Lee, Cope, Fitchett, Murray

Picture by Jack Aldridge