Borough start 2025 with comfortable Sholing success
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH celebrated their first victory in three league matches as they hosted local rivals Sholing on New Year’s Day (Wednesday); easily thrashing their Southampton-based opponents four-one after a dominant and powerful home display that was enjoyed by a crowd of over six hundred supporters at the AEI Stadium despite the poor weather.
The hosts threatened through Samuel Faniyan in the early stages as the winger had a shot blocked on six minutes and further saw a penalty appeal turned down after he drove inside the box. In response Sholing won a spot-kick after eight minutes when Romoluwa Akinola fell down into the box and this was converted by Michael Folivi from twelve yards out.
Borough got themselves a leveller before the quarter hour as a brilliant accurate passing attack found Harry Kavanagh; who fed Asher Yearwood to slice underneath Sholing goalkeeper Patrick Nash. But the visitors were soon looking good as experienced striker Dan Mason got through and was denied brilliantly, before Folivi was forced off due to his ‘knock’.
Faniyan and Henry Spalding were further denied expertly in quick succession as play resumed with Borough in control; the visitors however seeing a header from Mason caught by Adam Parkes. A goal was coming and it fell for Borough in the final minutes before half time as Kavanagh was found on the far side; the ball being nodded home by Dan Wooden.
Home momentum continued into this second period as Bradley Tarbuck received a cut-back in space but lashed a first-time attempt harmlessly wide on 49 minutes, whilst Yearwood’s effort was calmly gathered by Nash moments later. But the hosts weren’t stopped for long as a shot looped onto Wooden on the goalline and the striker netted off his shoulder.
It should have been four-one on sixty-four minutes when a pressing tactic earnt Tarbuck the ball and he ran through for goal but could only slice wide off target with his swerving attempt. This was followed by many Sholing substitutions and they briefly offered more attacking threat through Charlie Gunson who curled wide of the far stick following a fine sprint.
The three points were secured with 14 minutes left as Yearwood scored a wonder-goal on the volley; smashing into the near right corner with a finish to remember. And there was still time for an absolute ‘worldie’ save from Nash as he flew himself to the right to tip Alfie Stanley’s fierce shot for a corner; which came to nothing as Gosport held on for a big win.
Other results and postponed fixtures on Wednesday mean that Borough have moved to 10th place within the Southern Premier; where they currently sit eleven points behind the play-off spots. Their next match will see them visit Frome on Saturday, before hosting two games in three days; first entertaining Bracknell on the 08/01 and Taunton for January 11.
PICTURED BY M&J PHOTOGRAPHY: Sholing defender comes away with the ball after a ‘threatening’ corner from left.
