Borough succumb in thrilling Basingstoke goal-fest
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH succumbed to their first Southern League defeat since late August as they hosted Basingstoke Town on Saturday afternoon (October 18); eventually losing four-three versus their huge Hampshire rivals following the entertaining and topsy-turfy game that was enjoyed by over a thousand supporters inside an atmospheric AEI Stadium.
The home team started brighter in possession and could have scored within just four minutes; recent signing Lee Cook tracking inside and flashing past the left post from twenty yards out. This was followed up by a neat chance for Michael Fernandes shortly afterwards as he fired harmlessly wide with better options available and Rafa Ramos hit a shot wide.
Basingstoke opened these floodgates when a deep pass found Ben Cook and although the angled effort was saved by home keeper Ryan Hall, its rebound rolled into Cheick Sylla to hook into this empty net. Borough responded with many crosses and one of these was recycled into Benny Read; his stunning strike driving inside the top left corner for one-all.
This half hour passed without further incident as Basingstoke appeared to be having more possession and had another opening as Sylla created enough space for a swirling effort that flew over the bar. An injury stoppage then saw Gosport defenders switch off and Billy Upton took this advantage; the captain dinking above Hall to make it two-one at half time.
Proceedings resumed for this second period with the two teams engaging in this cagey midfield battle that neither side wanted to lose, although James Dickson went close via a good attempt on 53 minute. Down the other end Borough hit their opponents on the break through Ramos who found Ethan Taylor to convert after a slight fall to make it two-apiece.
Cook saw a headed effort easily caught by Hall, before a succession of substitutions seemed to disrupt all real flows in attacking areas; their last ball often lacking conviction with defences on top. That was until this seventy-seventh minute when a deep delivery was picked up by Ramos and he sprinted forward before crisply netting a shot past Simon Grant.
But the visitors were then level with seven minutes left on the clock when Dickson’s free kick somehow beat a crowd of bodies before deceiving Hall into the goal making it 3-3 with concerns made about the home defence. And Basingstoke sealed the victory on 87 minutes through Sylla, who closed upon the goalkeeper and saw a clearance float into the net.
Defeat means that Borough are in the mid-table positions but fellow teams have played more matches at this point and there are positives from the encounter versus good opposition, although there is also things to improve on. But they do have a chance to react rapidly as they host Bracknell Town this Wednesday night before visiting Sholing next weekend.
PICTURED BY GOSPORT BOROUGH MEDIA: A matchday scene at the AEI Stadium before this thrilling away victory.
