Gosport overcome champions in epic Chesham game
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH concluded their regular league campaign and guaranteed an away trip to Salisbury in the play-off semi finals with a thrilling win over Chesham United on Saturday afternoon; beating the ‘newly-crowned’ champions four-two after a simply breathtaking afternoon of football watched by over one thousand supporters at the AEI Stadium.
It was the visitors who started brightly under drizzly skies and created the first chance after seven minutes; Ogochokwu Obi setting up Avan Jones, whose curling effort was calmly saved by Toby Steward. But they weren’t rueing the wasted opportunity as the deadlock was broken moments later; Jordan Edwards rocketing inside the far right corner for one nil.
Borough did work themselves back into proceedings with Kristian Campbell forcing a great stop from away keeper Zaki Oualah; Danny Hollands then drilling home a corner after 19 minutes as Chesham’s defence stood still. And it was two-one for the hosts just four minutes later when Dan Wooden tapped home Rafa Ramos’ low ball to spark joyous scenes.
Chesham rapidly responded with the equaliser on the half hour as a corner was recycled into Eoin Casey; the defender nodding a header off the post and over the line for 2-2. But there was one more goal before the interval as Harvey Rew siezed upon uncertainity in the away defence and saw a reverse ball into Ramos, who slammed inside the top left post.
Attacking momentum continued for the second half with substitute Ricardo German nearly having an immediate impact as he latched onto a through-ball from T’Sharne Gallimore and saw a chipped effort drift wide. However it was Gosport who saw the next huge chance as Ramos raced through on the goal but saw his low and tame effort saved by Oualah.
Substitutions then followed with the champions dominating possession and creating a multitude of chances to level the scores; German lashing the ball over under pressure and James Harding back-heeling a cross wide from six yards out. Gosport were also looking a threat in attack with Wooden and Harry Kavanagh forcing diving stops in rapid succession.
Proceedings reached the 85th minute with Borough patiently overcoming the challenges of Chesham; almost killing the game with seconds left as Rew rocked the crossbar from twenty-five yards out and Bradley Tarbuck hit the side netting. All the points were secured in added time when Alex Barsa sent an effort into the right corner from range making it 4-2.
The final whistle blew soon afterwards and means that Borough finish fourth in the table after all 42 matches; a brilliant achievement given pre-season hopes of a mid-table position. Their reward is a ‘play-off semi final’ against Salisbury on Wednesday night with the winner playing Bracknell or AFC Totton on Bank Holiday Monday in the ‘battle for promotion’.
PICTURED BY TOM PHILLIPS: Rafa Ramos celebrates his goal during a breathtaking afternoon of football at the AEI.
