Gosport had the first few big opportunities of the game. Rafael Ramos on five minutes blasted an effort wide, and on ten minutes Charlie Wassmer came even closer to giving his side the lead, when he climbed to reach a cross inside the visitors’ box, nailing his headed effort just wide.

At the twenty-five minute mark Gosport came extremely close to breaking the deadlock, again good link up down the right between Trevor Caborn and Brad Tarbuck, allowed the latter to sweep a pass across the six yard box. An onrushing Dan Wooden stretched to reach the cross but the pass was a few inches in front of the striker who would have had an open net in front of him had he got onto the cross.

The Geordies came pretty close themselves to finding a lead when Carr, outside the penalty area, drove a shot at goal. The powerful effort skimmed the crossbar on its way out for a goal-kick.

At the half hour mark, the AEI Stadium would have all probably betted on Rafael Ramos sending Gosport ahead when he picked up a second ball deep inside the opposition half. The Portuguese striker then took the ball around Hanwell Nu1, giving him an open net in front. Ramos passed a shot towards goal which ultimately went agonisingly wide.

Half-Time: Gosport Borough 0-0 Hanwell Town

Hanwell started the second half well and were nearly rewarded for that when debutant, O’Brien, rifled a well struck shot into the side netting. One which many fans in the main stand thought went in due to the deceiving angle.

Instead it was the hosts’ who broke the deadlock at last, on seventy minutes. Gosport were awarded a free-kick, right of centre, just outside the box, perfectly made for Ben Greenwood. The defender stood up, wrapped his left-wand of a foot round the ball, and curled the shot into the top left corner. Simply astonishing to see such a well executed free-kick on such a regular basis. 1 - 0

Ben Greenwood then turned provider fifth-teen minutes onwards when he intercepted a ball before playing Ramos through on goal. The striker was quick to snap a low-driven shot at goal which flew past Beasant to double BORO’s advantage, in his 10th of the season. 2 - 0

Admittedly Gosport didn’t make it easy for themselves. The first of five added minutes, saw Hanwell buy a late lifeline back into the game. A hanging cross from the right picked out Woodcock, who bundled in from close range to give his side a goal back. 2 - 1

An equaliser was nearly found two minutes later when substitute Rice was through on goal, after Benny Read slipped trying to keep up with the Hanwell’s Nu14 run. The Geordies-man fired a low but vigorous shot at goal. Henry Blackledge stunningly got down low to make the save. The full time whistle followed shortly after as it finished:

Full-Time: Gosport Borough 2-1 Hanwell Town

Certainly a nerve wracking final few moments for Gosport to oversee, but we did manage to secure the all important three points. This Saturday the lads have a break when we instead host an open training session, a great chance for fans to meet the players and management team. This will be held at the AEI Stadium and will be free to attend… Final words from me as always: UP THE BORO!!!

Gosport Starting XI
Blackledge, Kavanagh, Morrison, Wassmer, Greenwood, Tarbuck, Tomasso, Caborn, Ramos, Wooden, Fernandes
Subs: Read, Walsh-Smith, Williams, Cook, Taylor