Gosport secure cup shootout victory versus Worthing
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH clinched another cup success to remember in this FA Trophy as they travelled to play Worthing on Saturday afternoon (December 7); eventually sealing a “gutsy” penalty shootout victory after a final minute equaliser earnt an one-all stalemate enjoyed by almost 1,000 supporters at a wind-swept Sussex Transport Community Stadium.
The hosts adapted well to the difficult conditions and saw an opening chance within thirteen minutes as Sam Beard ran forward at pace; his driven pass drifting just wide of the onrushing Harrison Smith. And moments later another long ball reached Smith through the middle, but his tame attempt was gathered comfortably by away goalkeeper Charlie Philpot.
Borough did relieve the early pressures and had a neat period of possession that finished with a shot on target after 21 minutes; Samuel Faniyan’s ambitious lob from distance being caught by Chris Haigh. Worthing responded brilliantly as they took the lead moments later; Charlie Wassmer slicing back into his own net from Joel Colbran’s whipping delivery.
Proceedings reached the half hour with Worthing in command and they should have doubled the advantage after thirty-four minutes through Danny Cashman; whose curling free kick brushed the left post from twenty-five yards. There was also time for a last chance before the interval as Kane Will found space and drove just wide; the scores staying one-nil.
Faniyan was proving to be the real bright spark for the visitors and saw a brilliant opportunity after fifty minutes through on goal; the striker lashing a fine attempt that was only denied by Haigh’s right foot. This was followed by Ollie Starkley blasting over and Jack Sprong forcing a stop from Philpot, who further denied a curling Beard shot upon the hour mark.
Cashman sliced against the post on sixty-two minutes as winds and the bright floodlights began to take effect; Borough responding as Haigh was quick to deny Dan Wooden after a good forward pass. Substitutions across the benches saw a small lull in attacking momentum until the 79th minute; Asher Yearwood narrowly missing Faniyan’s ball from 7 yards.
Away chances continued to arrive as Yearwood found himself through on goal and was then denied brilliantly by Haigh on 81 minutes; whilst superb defending cleared a shot off the line during the last seconds of the ninety. Their pressures finally told deep into stoppage time when the ball was worked to Wooden who turned home to force a penalty shootout.
Both teams netted their first and third spot-kicks in the shootout, which followed two misses from the second chance as neither side took control until the fourth kicks involving Bradley Tarbuck. The away winger easily slotted home the effort sandwiched between a miss for Worthing’s Alfie Young and Temi Babalola; thus earning a ‘dramatic win’ for the visitors.
Borough have now beaten two sides from the National League South in an outstanding cup run and the club now move into this next round to be held in January, with the future opponents to be known on Monday afternoon. Their attentions should now turn to the League as they travel up to Hanwell next weekend and host Hungerford Town for December 21.
PICTURED BY WORTHING FC MEDIA: Players from both teams focus on the ball in their closely fought FA Trophy tie.
