We ended the 2024/25 season at the ‘TigerTurf’ stadium, away to Gloucester, in what would go onto be one of the games of the season. A thrilling 2-2 draw in which BORO’ came from two down, to go onto secure a point after an Asher Yearwood brace. Despite the ‘Deja Vu’ of playing them again in our league opener, both sides have had very busy summers, resulting with two very different teams from April.

BORO’ dominated possession early on, but found it difficult to capitalise on it, and with the ‘Tigers’ eager to show their teeth, and ruthlessness. Ellis Watts, formerly of Hungerford, struck a powerful effort towards the BORO’ goal. New keeper Ryan Hall did well to parry the effort away, only for it to fall into the path of Harry Emmett. The striker rocketed home, to break the deadlock. 1 - 0

Two minutes later the hosts’ found themselves in the Gosport box again. King Baidoo inside the eighteen-yard box, collided into keeper Ryan Hall. With the City man falling down, the referee immediately blew and pointed to the spot. Up stood Joe Hanks who cooly slotted one past Hall to cushion the lead. 2 - 0

I mentioned at the start of the report how BORO’ came from a two-nil deficit to earn themselves a draw at the ‘TigerTurf stadium’ in our last encounter…Well this would become an even bigger challenge compared to that last comeback when Gloucester made it three in this game, ten minutes before the break. Watts impressively working his way down the wing, did just enough to cut back to goalscorer, Joe Hanks in space outside of the goal. Having just scored from the spot, Hanks kept his composure again, to drive a ball into the near corner to extend the advantage. 3 - 0

Gosport responded well to this, when they clawed a goal back. A counter move saw a ball threaded through to talisman, Ethan Taylor. The new Nu25, routinely despatched a strike into the far corner to give the visitors’ some hope going into the interval. 3 - 1

Half-Time: Gloucester City 3-1 Gosport Borough

The hosts’ started the second half well. Once again Watts being the thorn in the Gosport backline. Five minutes after the re-start Watts did come close to adding his name to the scoresheet when he finessed a shot towards the top corner. Ryan Hall denied Watts by tipping the ball over.

The Gosport fans may not have had too much to celebrate in the game, but they were certainly celebrating when substitute, Charlie Gunson, got BORO’s second of the afternoon. Having only been on for a minute, the Nu10 worked himself onto a cross inside the six yard box. Gunson glancing in a header, to rejuvenate those memories last season on that last day of the season…

Gosport were now desperately searching for their equaliser, and with Gloucester trying to re-store their cushioned advantage, it made for a nervy final half-an-hour. Gloucester had a perfect opportunity to put the game to bed, when substitute Sion Spence struck just wide of Hall’s post.

However it would be a Gosport player to put the game to rest, unfortunately at the wrong end. In the dying moments of added time, Kieran Phillips galloping at goal had Rory Williams chasing behind him. Desperately trying to overturn possession the Gosport skipper went sliding in, knocking into the ball, and diverting it into the back of his own net.

The full time whistle shortly followed, with it finishing:

Full-Time: Gloucester City 4-2 Gosport Borough

We all knew Gloucester would have been a tough test. Having finished runners up in the playoff final, and looking to challenge for the title this season. Gosport will go again midweek when we host, newly promoted Farnham, so we’ll see you then. But final words from me: UP THE BORO!!!

Gosport Starting XI