Gosport bounce back from midweek defeat as they beat Weston-Super-Mare at the Optima Stadium, with Pat Suraci sealing all three points for Shaun Gale’s side.

It means that BORO’ have now picked up two victories from their opening three games of the season, putting them in good stead before a tough Bank Holiday double header next weekend versus Chesham and Hartley Wintney. It is also Gosport’s first clean sheet and away victory of the campaign, with the three points putting them into the top half of the Southern League table.

But it could have been a much different story if Weston-Super-Mare had taken their chances, with three shots hitting the woodwork throughout the ninety minutes. The first came after just thirty seconds as a long ball by Scott Laird found Dayle Grubb, who turned his marker and advanced towards the box. But luckily for the visitors his powerful effort hit the base of the right post with Ipswich-loanee Albert White beaten.

Down the other end Boro’ saw a succession of corners that ultimately came to nothing, although Joe Lea went on a surging run down the right side and fired towards goal. However his low angled drive was well saved by Seagulls’ keeper Luke Parnell at his far post and the ball was cleared away to safety after nine minutes.

Before the half hour there were many chances for the home side with both Laird and Mike Symons going close from deliveries into the box including corners. WSM also saw shots from both Lucas Vowles and Lloyd Humphries blocked by good Gosport defending, which provided the visitors a platform to attack before the break.

Elliot Wheeler’s shot after being set up by Bradley Tarbuck was tipped over for a corner, whilst Dan Wooden’s tame effort was saved after being found by a combination of Lea and Josh Huggins. But it was WSM that saw the best chance of the half when Lloyd Humphries smashed the crossbar with a looping effort on 43 minutes as the referee blew for half time shortly afterwards.

The second half was quieter and it took ten minutes for the next chance on 56 minutes; Theo Lewis winning a free kick after brilliant hold-up play. Up stepped Tarbuck and his effort looked to be hitting the net but was saved by Parnell who parried to safety. Down the other end Weston went close as a Humphries cross was nearly converted by a Gosport leg before Nick McCootie fired harmlessly over when well placed at the edge of the box.

After a lull in proceedings due to injuries and substitutions, WSM had the best chance on 78 minutes as McCootie broke clear down the right. The attacker’s cross evaded everybody and again hit the base of the far post as home fans began to celebrate prematurely. But most of the 600+ strong crowd were silenced minutes later as Boro scored the winner.

A long ball forward looked ineffective with a tracking WSM defender covering the run of Suraci, but under pressure the ball fell back to the Gosport winger. He made no mistake in smashing home the winner on 83 minutes with a low angled effort. Good game management in the final moments against sustained pressure saw Borough home with three points.

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