Gosport produce late comeback to beat Winchester
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH bounced back to form with three ‘vital’ league points as they hosted Winchester City in another local derby on Easter Monday (April 1); eventually fighting their way to a narrow two-one victory with late goals proving the ultimate difference in front of over a thousand jubilant supporters who packed a sunshine lit and warm AEI Stadium.
The visitors began brighter and created their opening chance within six minutes when Trevor Caborn fired just over the crossbar from a long ball, whilst Simba Mlambo’s hooked shot rolled easily into the gloves of Toby Steward. In contrast Gosport were struggling against a ‘high press’ and their momentum was stalled by a number of niggly injury stoppages.
But the home team switched forward on fourteen minutes with an outstanding build-up play ending in an overhead kick from Rafa Ramos; this effort brilliantly caught by Winchester keeper Luke Cairney diving to the left. Another attack saw Kristian Campbell’s low cross narrowly miss Dan Wooden; the latter also brushing the right post with his flicked header.
Winchester were still posing a threat however and saw a number of fine ‘half chances’ before the interval; Daniel Jones going close at a corner and Tommy Wright getting through the defence before slicing over the crossbar. Down the other end Borough saw Bradley Tarbuck drag harmlessly over the bar and unsuccessful corners to end the goalless first half.
It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken as Winchester opened the scoring after 51 minutes with a wonder goal; Wright collecting a pass and curling his precise drive inside the ‘far corner’ past Steward for one-nil. And it should have been doubled moments later as Jamie Barron flashed over, whilst Corey Jordan sliced narrowly wide on the hour mark.
Substitutions followed across both sides with Winchester immediately creating a chance to double the lead; Oli Balmer floating a cross into Wright and the striker hit the post with his header. This awoke the home players and they began to play with more urgency; Cairney denying Dan Wooden and Alex Barsa as Rory Williams sent his free kick into the wall.
This equaliser was coming and it did arrive on 80 minutes through Alfie Stanley; the striker tapping home a shot from a yard out after Jordan’s header. And the home side clinched the three points moments later as great play down the right released Tarbuck, who hit a venomous shot into the opposite corner past Cairney to spark relieved and jubilant scenes.
These three points allow Gosport to remain above Salisbury in second place; although goal difference is the only thing separating the two teams below newly confirmed champions Chesham United. Joe Lea and Patrick Suraci will now be hoping to continue this winning spirit when they travel to Hanwell this Saturday (April 6) in another crucial away match.
PICTURED BY TOM PHILLIPS: Gosport players celebrate their ‘comeback’ victory that will keep them in second place.
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH bounced back to form with three ‘vital’ league points as they hosted Winchester City in another local derby on Easter Monday (April 1); eventually fighting their way to a narrow two-one victory with late goals proving the ultimate difference in front of over a thousand jubilant supporters who packed a sunshine lit and warm AEI Stadium.
The visitors began brighter and created their opening chance within six minutes when Trevor Caborn fired just over the crossbar from a long ball, whilst Simba Mlambo’s hooked shot rolled easily into the gloves of Toby Steward. In contrast Gosport were struggling against a ‘high press’ and their momentum was stalled by a number of niggly injury stoppages.
But the home team switched forward on fourteen minutes with an outstanding build-up play ending in an overhead kick from Rafa Ramos; this effort brilliantly caught by Winchester keeper Luke Cairney diving to the left. Another attack saw Kristian Campbell’s low cross narrowly miss Dan Wooden; the latter also brushing the right post with his flicked header.
Winchester were still posing a threat however and saw a number of fine ‘half chances’ before the interval; Daniel Jones going close at a corner and Tommy Wright getting through the defence before slicing over the crossbar. Down the other end Borough saw Bradley Tarbuck drag harmlessly over the bar and unsuccessful corners to end the goalless first half.
It didn’t take long for the deadlock to be broken as Winchester opened the scoring after 51 minutes with a wonder goal; Wright collecting a pass and curling his precise drive inside the ‘far corner’ past Steward for one-nil. And it should have been doubled moments later as Jamie Barron flashed over, whilst Corey Jordan sliced narrowly wide on the hour mark.
Substitutions followed across both sides with Winchester immediately creating a chance to double the lead; Oli Balmer floating a cross into Wright and the striker hit the post with his header. This awoke the home players and they began to play with more urgency; Cairney denying Dan Wooden and Alex Barsa as Rory Williams sent his free kick into the wall.
This equaliser was coming and it did arrive on 80 minutes through Alfie Stanley; the striker tapping home a shot from a yard out after Jordan’s header. And the home side clinched the three points moments later as great play down the right released Tarbuck, who hit a venomous shot into the opposite corner past Cairney to spark relieved and jubilant scenes.
These three points allow Gosport to remain above Salisbury in second place; although goal difference is the only thing separating the two teams below newly confirmed champions Chesham United. Joe Lea and Patrick Suraci will now be hoping to continue this winning spirit when they travel to Hanwell this Saturday (April 6) in another crucial away match.
PICTURED BY TOM PHILLIPS: Gosport players celebrate their ‘comeback’ victory that will keep them in second place.
