Gosport survive Hanwell scare in Halloween thriller
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH FC secured their second successive home victory as they welcomed Hanwell Town for their latest fixture on Saturday afternoon (October 31); eventually earning a three-two success after the team ‘survived’ a late scare despite holding a three-nil advantage in front of over seven hundred supporters at the sunny AEI Stadium.
The visitors began quickly following a poignant Remembrance ceremony before kick-off and had two half chances in the first 10 minutes; Jordan Espirit driving wide and Dan Carr having a shot blocked. But it was actually Gosport who opened the scoring after eleven minutes as Amadon Jallow headed home Billy Bodin’s set-piece into the right corner.
Kris Campbell was shown a yellow for scuffling with 2 Hanwell players before he almost doubled the home lead after twenty-three minutes as he ran through, but the drive was saved by goalkeeper Sam Beasant with a better option. In response the visitors saw George Knight’s effort gathered easily by James Holden, who further caught many crosses.
Hanwell’s best chance arrived on thirty-three minutes when Henry Snee cut inside on the left and sent his shot rolling inches wide from an angle, which was then punished when Jordan Stepney looped a header over Beasant for two-nil down the other end. This was how it stayed at half time, despite Michael Fernandes missing a shot after fine footwork.
A steady start awaited the teams upon the second half restart with neither really grabbing the initiative until a moment of sheer brilliance on fifty-six minutes; Campbell beating three players and blasting his rocket inside the top corner for three-nil. However his over-zealous celebration earnt him a second yellow and gave the visitors a sudden opportunity.
They started their potential comeback on fifty-nine minutes when a recycled delivery was met via Snee at the left post for three-one, whilst Ollie Turner sliced a free kick over from a dangerous position. Gosport appeared nervy and a mis-control by Holden helped to give away a penalty which was brilliantly tipped away for a redeeming action by the goalie.
Substitutions followed across the two benches and Borough dealt with a spell of crosses before Hanwell made it three-two on the stroke of added time as Joe Wilson curled home a finish to set up a twitchy end. There was also a free-kick and one effort by James Alabi that was saved comfortably by Holden in the last seconds, but Gosport held on for a win.
Borough’s three points means that they have maintained their position in the current play-off zone after fifteen matches and concludes a good week that had a big win versus Bracknell whilst also appointing new manager Callum Glen. The side now have a hard double header of away ties starting with Chippenham Town next weekend as Hanwell visit Poole.
PICTURED BY GOSPORT BOROUGH FC SUPPORTERS CLUB: Home striker moves a ball forward under pressures.
