Borough succumb to disappointing Chertsey defeat

By Connor Steel

GOSPORT BOROUGH succumbed to their second successive defeat as they hosted “relegation-threatened” Chertsey Town on Saturday afternoon (March 1); comfortably losing two-nil against their struggling opponents following this very disappointing and ‘under-par’ home performance in front of over nine hundred supporters at a sunny / dry AEI Stadium.

The hosts made a quick start and thought they had taken an early lead within just seventy seconds as Asher Yearwood calmly slotted into the net; the goal quickly being disallowed as a preceding free kick was illegally taken. And they were punished after nine minutes through Jack Mazzone who placed home the clever set-piece inside the bottom left corner.

Borough attempted an immediate response when Bradley Tarbuck volleyed wide from an angle and Dan Wooden soon lashed harmlessly off target on twenty minutes; home frustrations showing when Joe Morrison was booked for a foul. It could have been two-nil moments later as a corner caused a goalmouth scramble that was eventually cleared to safety.

Another opportunity fell the way of Chertsey after a steadying spell of possession reached Oliver McCoy and the striker hit a bouncing shot that rolled across goal; whilst Louis Birch was shown yellow for a niggly foul. And this away defence was soon fortunate as Yearwood fell down in the box before the break, but these penalty appeals were rapidly rejected.

Chertsey sought to dominate upon the restart and Cole Brown fired into their left side netting after a lung-busting sprint on the left side within seconds; this opening being followed by an effort from Oliver Turner spinning over on 52 minutes. An amazing chance came their way too as McCoy tried to lob Adam Parkes with a “first time” hit that went over the bar.

Away momentum did however get rewarded just before on the hour mark when a throw-in was played into McCoy who took the touch and placed past Parkes into the right hand corner with a slow-motioned shot. A third goal almost arrived moments later when Nathan Rogers saw a drive saved whilst Danny Hollands saw the same outcome through on goal.

Substitutions across both benches helped to kill off ‘late drama’ as Gosport dominated the possession; but in truth they lacked any urgency and danger in attacking areas during the last fifteen. This was in contrast to the Generals who saw McCoy denied rapidly by Parkes in 2 occasions and many crosses, but they were forced to settle for a two goal margin.

Other results mean that Gosport sit eleventh in the Southern League Premier and are fifteen points away from the play offs with nine games left to play. However, they are only nine points above relegation and can be dragged into a ‘battle’ if results don’t improve as they travel across to play fifth place Dorchester next weekend and also host Merthyr (15/03).

PICTURED BY GOSPORT BOROUGH MEDIA: Sunny blue skies await the 2 teams before kick off at the AEI Stadium.