Chertsey clinically beaten by superb Borough display
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH extended their ongoing unbeaten run to six matches from all competitions and secured another superb away victory as they travelled up to Chertsey Town on Saturday afternoon; comfortably beating their “mid-table” opponents two-nil after a professional performance at Alwyns Lane despite very appalling weather conditions in Surrey.
It was the home team who started brightly in the heavy rain and created their first chance after seven minutes as Oliver Knight sliced inches wide of the post, before Lewis Flatman skidded an attempt over the crossbar. In response Gosport slowly built a spell of possession that drew a foul from Louis Birch; who was cautioned and this free kick was defended.
But the visitors were not to be stopped on eighteen minutes when Simba Kudyiwa pulled down Dan Wooden inside the box and the referee awarded a penalty; which was converted by Asher Yearwood into the left bottom corner for one-nil. Harry Kavanagh soon set up Wooden after a lung-busting sprint, but this striker could only fire into the keeper’s gloves.
Chertsey did well to halt this away momentum after 30 minutes and won a series of dangerous corners in ‘highly windy’ conditions; the Borough defence stubbornly winning every battle in the air. And even when they did get a tiny pocket of space in the last third on 41 minutes through Wayne Ridgley, the hosts were denied by away keeper Adam Parkes’ leg.
A quieter period awaited the teams after the interval as Chertsey continued to drive for a quick equaliser; Ridgley again letting fly to little avail and Flatman firing straight at Parkes before he was substituted. Down the other end Alfie Stanley was threatening the home backline as he pushed them back and fed Danny Hollands, who sadly lashed wide off target.
Substitutions followed across the two benches and they brought some much needed energy in midfield; Paul Agbeseyi setting up Wooden for a shot off target and Dan Rowe going closer for Chertsey. Another goal was coming though and it fell to Gosport after seventy minutes when Wooden latched onto a deep ball and stabbed home to cushion their lead.
The second goal ultimately stifled any home attacks and they struggled to respond in the last twenty minutes of action; despite some steady possession that led to chances for both Rowe and Jack Mazzone. Their best opening saw Knight rattling the woodwork on eighty minutes as Borough did brilliantly to prevent late drama; securing the clean sheet / win.
These three points mean that Borough move away from the relegation spots and are just behind Chertsey / Taunton in the current standings; although they have three games in hand due to cup fixtures and an abandonment. One of these ties will see the team host Bracknell on Wednesday evening before they entertain Plymouth Parkway on November 30.
PICTURED BY GOSPORT BOROUGH MEDIA: The two sides prepare for ‘kick off’ at Alwyns Lane under the dark sky.
