Gosport succumb to defeat in tight Havant affair
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH succumbed to defeat in their final home league match as they hosted play-off hopefuls Havant & Waterlooville on Easter Monday (April 21); eventually losing two-one versus their fierce opponents despite a positive hard working performance throughout this ninety minutes that were enjoyed by a massive crowd at a cold AEI Stadium.
The steady opening was ended within ten minutes when Ryan Seager was fouled in the area by Charlie Wassmer; the home defender being booked whilst the Havant striker converted this spot-kick into the bottom left corner. Borough did however win a penalty moments later down the other end, which was calmly fired low into the goal by Asher Yearwood.
It took until the twenty-first minute for another big opportunity as Leon Maloney went through and only an overhit touch denied him from taking his shot at Adam Parkes, who caught an attempt from Harvey Laidlaw just seconds later. Injury stoppages then followed with Nigel Atangana having to go off and Yearwood receiving treatments in separate incidents.
Havant almost retook their lead as Maloney fed a header into the path of Seager whose touch looped onto the bar and down into the body of Parkes in the 40th minute before a series of bookings looked to end the first period. But Gosport were unlucky not to be ahead when a volley seemed to go ‘over the line’; these loud appeals rejected in stoppage time.
Borough came out quick upon the restart and saw Dan Wooden flash a fine header off-target within fifty seconds whilst Nnamdi Nwachuku hit harmlessly over the bar after cutting inside in the 49th minute. Danny Hollands was also booked for dissent as well as Harvey Laidlaw for a foul as frustrations rose before this hour mark with neither side really on top.
Away substitutions slowly turned the tide towards them with Oliver Pendlebury providing a spark; the midfielder firing a hooked volley narrowly over and also going close from a thirty-yard free kick shot. Devante Stanley then set up Harvey Bradbury who could not get a last touch and Reuben Livesey-Austin lashed wide with perhaps better options available.
Pressures finally told on eighty-two minutes for Havant when Seager slotted home Nana Owusa for two-one and led to huge celebrations behind the goal. Although this proved to be their winner there were late opportunities for Seager and Bradbury as Gosport tired; the home keeper showing his talent with 2 sublime stops using studs to prevent more goals.
Their three points mean that Havant are still in the ‘play-off race’ and need Dorchester to drop more points on Saturday afternoon in this final round of full fixtures. Meanwhile Gosport have already guaranteed their safety and cannot go any higher in the league standings going into their game against Gloucester City, who have already sealed a top four place.
PICTURED BY M&J PHOTOGRAPHY: Borough players appeal for a second goal as volley looks to cross the goal-line.
