Gosport bounce back with big Bracknell demolition

By Connor Steel

GOSPORT BOROUGH stylishly rebounded into form as they hosted struggling Bracknell Town for their latest Southern League encounter on Wednesday evening (October 22); eventually demolishing their opponents six-one in a clash that featured multiple spot-kicks and ‘horrendous’ weather conditions throughout in front of the 629 fans at the AEI Stadium.

The visitors started quickly on the rain-filled artificial surface and should have scored within just eighty seconds through Joe Grant, who beat two defenders but could only guide his header off the bar. Instead, it was Gosport who opened the scoring moments later as Benny Read’s cross was effortlessly converted inside the right corner by Rafa Ramos for 1-0.

Borough were in control with further opportunities including a chipped drive from Ethan Taylor looping past the crossbar whilst Dan Wooden and Luke Cook both had shots gathered by Bracknell keeper Zaki Oualah. But the home side were pegged back on 20 minutes when the defence completely switched off, allowing Joe Grant to run through and equalise.

Attacking intensity settled for periods as both teams enjoyed spells of possession either side of this half hour; the hosts seeing a fine chance as Leahy had to kick another looped shot off the goalline in a brilliant clearance. But the parity did end before this break as Borough got a ‘delayed’ penalty for handball in a packed area that was netted by Ethan Taylor.

Home dominance continued into the second period as Gosport earnt a free-kick in the ever worsening rain; the delivery finding Cook to fire home from four yards after Joe Morrison’s hooked pass across goal making it three-one. The fourth goal followed on fifty-three minutes when a poor ball gave Ramos the empty goal and he simply guided into this corner.

Substitutions followed across both sides as a couple of niggly injuries helped settle down play and there was a spell of little attacking actions; although Gosport had most of the possession versus a tiring away defence. This lasted until the eightieth minute when Gosport earnt their second penalty of the ninety, which saw Ramos denied by the diving Oualah.

It was however five-one with six minutes remaining when Ramos and Taylor linked up quickly in Bracknell’s final thirds; the latter’s backheel finding Cook who lashed into this corner leaving Oualah absolutely no chance. And a third penalty was awarded for Gosport in stoppage time with Taylor stepping up to slam home, making it six-one just before this end.

These three points mean that Borough are now fifth in the current league and sit one spot inside the ‘play-off positions’ after twelve games, which include six wins and two draws in a promising start for the campaign. A series of big fixtures await however as they visit Sholing this Saturday in a rearranged fixture, before playing Poole Town to start November.

PICTURED BY JACK APPLEBY: Borough attacker Luke Cook celebrates one of their six goals in this home thrashing.