Borough overcome Hanwell with positive home win
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH secured their second successive victory and progressed close to league safety as they played Hanwell Town on Saturday afternoon (April 12); comprehensively beating their ‘mid-table’ opponents three-nil following this relaxed and attacking performance watched by over seven hundred supporters at a breezy but sunny AEI Stadium.
The hosts dominated possession during the cagey early exchanges and created their first chance after just six minutes through Dan Wooden, who saw the attempt blocked at source before it was cleared. An injury stoppage briefly stopped this momentum until Gosport took the lead in the 16th minute; Charlie Wassmer tucking home Rory Williams’ deep ball.
Bradley Tarbuck and Daniel Carr were soon booked after a nasty flare-up as Hanwell tried to assert themselves on this match; Elliott Benyon’s snap-shot drive drifting inches off target. They went even closer after twenty-four minutes when Kameron English broke through and placed towards goal, but his shot hit a slight pitch bobble and rolled painfully wide.
It was two-nil on thirty minutes when a long pass was played into the runs of Nnamdi Nwachuku and this winger played an inch perfect cross to reach Wooden, who slammed home inside the near post. And it should have been three before the half time interval when sublime football fed Tarbuck to volley his fine shot harmlessly wide deep into additional time.
Hanwell made triple substitutions for the second half and they were immediately threatening a comeback when Callum Woodcock forced a superb reflex stop from Parkes on 47 minutes, whilst Taylor Miles sliced over moments later. Down the other end Tarbuck linked up with Wooden and Cameron Murray in a quick attack that was denied by the defenders.
Another goal was coming and it finally arrived before the hour mark as a short corner was worked into Nwachuku; who drove forward and had a low drive roll past Samuel Beasant into the net. This prompted a lengthy lull in play with the 2 benches making substitutions and few clear-cut chances, despite Alfie Stanley’s effort skidding wide from a tight angle.
Borough won a debatable spot-kick on seventy-seven minutes as Asher Yearwood was fouled in the box, but a form of justice was served when the attacker’s poor kick was saved calmly by Beasant. It gave Hanwell a large boost with Alfie Pendlebury saw an opportunity to chip Parkes after an error but the keeper clawed away to preserve a clean sheet win.
Their victory means that Borough are eleventh in the table and nine points clear from danger with three matches left to play, although they are also five points off eighth placed Wimborne Town. They will look to guarantee Southern League football for 2025-26 when they face Tiverton Town for Easter Saturday, before hosting Havant & Waterlooville on 21/04.
PICTURED BY M&J PHOTOGRAPHY: Nnamdi Nwachuku’s effort deceives the Hanwell keeper Samuel Beasant for 3.
