Borough clinch statement Poole league away success

By Connor Steel

GOSPORT BOROUGH continued their incredible away form as they travelled across to rivals Poole Town in the latest Southern League encounter on Saturday afternoon (November 1); the visitors clinching a narrow one-nil success after an outstanding statement performance through the game that was watched by a loud crowd at the BlackGold Stadium.

The hosts started with some good possession under overcast skies and won a corner following quick footwork from IK Hill which resulted in Joshua Staunton nodding over in the sixth minute. Down the other end Michael Fernandes found a pocket of space and fired towards goal, but the shot was easily saved by Poole goalkeeper Adam Parkes to his right.

Poole were celebrating minutes later when a cross was played into the box and was converted into the corner, only for disappointment to reign as the referee blew for a foul on Ryan Hall. Frustrations only increased on twenty-four minutes as Shaquille Gwengwe went down in this box after a shirt pull but huge calls for a penalty were rejected by the officials.

Antonio Diaz almost scored against his former team as he ran onto a Hill cross and was denied by a brilliant challenge from Charlie Wassmer; who had timed his tackle perfectly after an earlier yellow card. Rafa Ramos went close with his drive that drifted wide on 41 minutes as a downpour of rain filled the skies above; providing a quiet end to this first half.

This competitive nature of proceedings continued into this second period with the next notable chance arriving on fifty-six minutes for Poole; their defender Owen Dore forcing a brilliant save by Hall from a powerful corner and a re-bound going wide. Gwengwe further had an opening for an attempt, but he slipped at a vital moment just after this hour mark.

Charlie Davis blasted harmlessly over the crossbar on sixty-three minutes before Gosport took the lead moments later through Dan Wooden; the striker beating the defender to a pass and sliding home into the right corner past a stranded Parkes. And it could have been two-nil when a clever flick looked to be heading into the net before being pushed away.

Substitutions followed across the benches as Poole regrouped and looked to get a late point with two brilliant chances; Gwengwe blasting wide when it was easier to score on 83 minutes, before Kristian Campbell rifled over moments later. But an injury stoppage halted their momentum as Borough used game management tactics to see out a statement win.

This great away victory means that Gosport sit just outside the play-off places with twenty-four points to date; including seven wins from their fourteen matches so far this campaign. They are unbeaten away from the AEI Stadium since late August and will aim to continue a brilliant run when they travel West to play Taunton Town next weekend (November 8).

PICTURED BY POOLE TOWN MEDIA: Home attacker blasts a drive towards goal as rain showers arrives in this area.