Gosport sunk by relentless rivals in play-off battle

By Connor Steel

GOSPORT BOROUGH sustained a potentially devastating blow for their play-off ambitions as they hosted ‘high-flying’ rivals Sholing FC on Saturday afternoon (March 7); eventually falling to a narrow two-one loss as they were overcome by a relentless and organised performance from the visitors in front of a huge crowd throughout this grey AEI Stadium.

The away team made an outstanding start as they scored their opener within seventy seconds through Jake McCarthy following a good passing move; this midfielder curling into the far left corner from twenty-five yards with a ‘lovely’ finish. Borough did try and respond quickly as Ben Greenwood got through with a clear run on goal but this shot was blocked.

Bradley Tarbuck scuffed an effort harmlessly wide in the twenty-fourth minute before Sholing missed a good chance to double their lead minutes later; James Roberts chipping over both the goalkeeper and crossbar. This was punished on this half hour as Gosport were given a harsh penalty on the counter, which was calmly rolled home by Hisham Kasimu.

Their frustrations seemed to move Sholing forward as defender Sam Magri unleashed a thunderbolt from distance that only just went over the bar; whilst a dangerous corner delivery was missed by multiple defenders before it was cleared. Charlie Wassmer was then booked for a late foul in the midfield areas as Gosport survived the pressure until the break.

Proceedings restarted in frantic style with a chance for both teams; Dan Mason having a shot palmed away from safety for the away team before Kasimu fired this ball over the bar after a fall by the Sholing goalkeeper. This was followed by an ever-rising free-kick from McCarthy that drove narrowly past the reach of Lucas Thomas, but it floated just off target.

The away management saw an opportunity and added fresh legs to their attack either side of the hour mark; signalling a lull that was only ended as Vinnie Tume saw a drive blocked by a home defender on sixty-nine minutes. And Sholing did score a second when Jake Hesketh showed skills to release Tommy-Lee Higgs, who poked a finish inside the goal.

Borough further attempted to respond in the final twenty minutes with Tarbuck driving over the bar and several crosses were cleared expertly by the defence, who had marked the home attackers brilliantly throughout the game. An injury to McCarthy sadly dented all this momentum and the midfielder was stretchered off whilst Sholing held on to win two-one.

Fellow results mean that Gosport sit seventh in the table and three points behind Sholing in the table, who are level on points with Chertsey with both having ‘games in hand’. Gosport will now travel to Bracknell Town next Saturday (March 14) before they host third-place Poole Town and their 2 former managers in this next home match scheduled on 21/03.

PICTURED BY GOSPORT BOROUGH MEDIA: Home midfielder manages to control ‘bouncing’ ball whilst unbalanced.