Borough overcome neighbours Fareham in cup game
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH FC guaranteed progression into the semi-finals of this ‘Portsmouth Senior Cup’ as they hosted neighbours Fareham Town FC on Wednesday evening (February 18); comfortably getting a three-one success against their fierce rivals after a professional display throughout the game that was played in awful weather at the AEI Stadium.
The home team made an impeccable start as they took this lead within eighty seconds; Trevor Caborn floating a lovely delivery that was met by Ethan Taylor who nodded home at the left post. It should have been two-nil on fifteen minutes as away keeper Lloyd Thomas saved a drive from an attacker and the rebound was cleared off the line by Oli Kershaw.
Fareham absorbed this pressure and began to grow into proceedings as Jamie Arnold saw a drive deflected wide for a corner on twenty-three minutes; whilst Cam Sullivan forced another set-piece with a similar attack. Down the other end Brad Tarbuck found space to smash the crossbar from distance before Dan Wooden stood on the ball to ruin the move.
Michael Fernandes was proving threatening for Gosport as they netted a second goal after thirty-eight minutes through the midfielder, who blasted an effort inside the top left corner. But Fareham didn’t give up and earnt the rewards before the interval as Matt Pates was found just inside the penalty box; this midfielder slotting home to make it 2-1 at half time.
Both sides began slower upon the second half with Fareham pressing in heavy showers as Sullivan had a low skidding shot saved by Brad Snelling at his near post, whilst he also saw a fine effort drift wide on fifty-four minutes. In response Gosport were unable to create many attacks during the ‘tight’ exchanges, and made four substitutions to regain control.
Toure Williams went close for the Creeksiders with a shot that flew over the crossbar but the visitors were dealt a huge defensive blow when Ash Tattersall hobbled away after picking up his injury to be replaced via Henri Graham. And this did worsen as Gosport broke down this right wing with Caborn nodding home a brilliant delivery to kill off this tie at 3-1.
It would have been four-one when Hisham Kasimu broke through from Ethan Taylor’s long ball, but somehow blazed a shot wide with ‘no pressure’ on seventy-seven minutes; a huge chance that seemed to give Fareham belief. Substitute Callie Neil fired his attempt off-target and then fed Elliot Holm,es who smashed the crossbar in added time from range.
Their win means that Borough will play a semi-final match against unknown opponents / dates in this local competition, whilst they will hope to build upon this result as they host Dorchester Town in a ‘must-win’ league tie this Saturday. For Fareham, there is many positives to take via this derby as they travel to play Moneyfields at the John Jenkins Stadium.
PICTURED BY FAREHAM TOWN MEDIA: Away attacker lashes this attempt on goal despite many Gosport defenders.
