Borough clinch Tiverton victory despite weather
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH secured their first league success at home this season as they played struggling Tiverton Town on Saturday afternoon; comfortably clinching a three-nil victory versus the Devon-based opponents after a professional performance enjoyed by a total of almost eight hundred supporters at the AEI Stadium, despite bad weather conditions.
The hosts started brighter with Alfie Stanley and Bradley Tarbuck having varying drives on target within just the first five minutes, whilst Joe Parker floated a header wide of goal as part of a fine period of possession. But Borough caught out their visitors with a rapid free kick that eventually rolled to Stanley, who rifled home his low shot with a composed finish.
Tiverton tried to respond rapidly as Jevan Wright saw his effort gathered well by the home goalkeeper Max Evans, who then helped deal with some dangerous deliveries at corners. And it was a counter attack that led to this second goal for Gosport on twenty-three minutes when Asher Yearwood fed Tarbuck; the attacker’s shot finding the bottom right corner.
Proceedings went into a lull with multiple injury stoppages featuring Rory Williams and there was concern for a Tiverton player who slid off the pitch on 32 minutes, but thankfully he was OK to carry on. Niggly tackles across the teams didn’t help to regain earlier momentum despite 3 chances for Borough whilst an away free-kick hit the wall before the interval.
It should have been three-nil immediately upon the restart as incisive passing ended with Stanley’s shot being brilliantly parried away at point blank range; Wooden following this with another fine attempt within seconds. Down the other end Tiverton were looking better in attack and should have reduced their deficit on 58 minutes, but this pass missed Parker.
The hour mark passed without incident as a soggy surface and multiple substitutions all signalled another quiet period; Tiverton trying their bests to push forward with attempts for both Michael Baker and Asa Hall in quick succession. They further saw many promising attacks either halted by their last pass or stubborn Gosport defending led by Joe Morrison.
Niall Thompson had the visitor’s best chance on 87 minutes when he cut inside from a corner and saw the curling drive brilliantly tipped over by Evans, which led to frustration with bookings for Hall and his manager. Away misery was made worse in the 94th minute as Stanley ran through and fired into the left corner, thus sealing a home win and clean sheet.
The victory means that Gosport have eight points from six games and rose to a mid-table spot after all other scores on Saturday; the team next set to host Dorchester Town in their next league encounter on September 18. Two huge home knockout ties will be first versus Winchester City in the Hampshire Senior Cup and then Gloucester in the FA Cup 2QR.
PICTURED BY TIVERTON TOWN MEDIA: Four home defenders climb above Tiverton attackers to head a cross away.
