Gosport succumb to disappointing Marlow defeat
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH endured another frustrating evening in the Southern League as they hosted strugglers Marlow on Wednesday; eventually slipping to a narrow one-nil defeat against their winless opponents despite dominating both chances and possession in this cagey game watched by a strong midweek crowd of over 600 fans at the AEI Stadium.
The hosts came out firing on a ‘slick surface’ and saw Bradley Tarbuck create their first chance within four minutes; the winger blasting harmlessly over the crossbar from range. This missed opportunity was then punished after ten minutes when Rhys Harper collected a pass and slotted into the back of Ryan Gosney’s net at an angle for the early away lead.
Borough sought an immediate response with only a tight offside flag stopping the equaliser four minutes later and Dan Wooden’s fine shot gathered comfortably by a diving Finn Rushton. Charlie Wassmer then headed inches over from a swinging corner and Samuel Faniyan dribbled into a defender as the attackers struggled to break through the backline.
Proceedings passed the half hour without further incidents and appeared to drift steadily towards the interval; the home team dominating possession but they were guilty of overplaying in this final third and lacking the confidence to shoot. It took until the 41st minute before Harry Kavanagh saw his shot blocked at source in this final action of the tight first half.
Marlow were the brighter outfit upon this restart and should have doubled their advantage within sixty seconds; Harper breaking at pack and playing a looping cross to reach Jose Sani who sliced wide of the far post. Mo Jallow then curled wide with a dangerous attempt following incisive build up play down the wing; Gosport having to defend well for a spell.
This almost came after sixty five minutes when Harry Hoath charged towards the area and beat many defenders in this movement; his effort from 25 yards out beating Gosney but soon flying a whisker wide. In response Borough made two urgent changes as Jake Cope and Joe Morrison came into this action; the latter feeding Wooden to drag narrowly over.
The last twenty minutes were controlled by Gosport as they tried to get a late reward for their efforts; but were thwarted in style by a “well drilled defence” that didn’t want to budge in any way. Lots of niggly fouls and injury stoppages helped Marlow to frustrate the home contingent even more; the referee doing well to calm the situation in a fractious final spell.
Despite victory for Marlow they sit bottom of the table after thirteen matches and are seven points behind Gosport, who sit two places above the drop zone with 2 games in hand. However the home side refocus their attentions to FA Trophy action this weekend as they host league rivals Taunton Town at the AEI Stadium on Saturday afternoon to end October.
PICTURED BY M&J PHOTOGRAPHY: Home attacker fires a skidded effort towards goal as a defender moves in vain.
