Gosport-Totton match abandoned after power outage
By Connor Steel
GOSPORT BOROUGH must reschedule their home encounter against league rivals AFC Totton after their tie on Friday evening was sadly abandoned before half time due to a “widespread power outage” around the AEI Stadium area; thus leaving the crowd of over 1700 supporters disappointed after a lovely Remembrance Service and clinical Stags display.
Proceedings had reached the second minute of stoppage time when the floodlights flicked into full darkness along with streetlights and houses in the surrounding areas. Players were forced to leave the pitch and the officials gave a twenty-minute window for all of the lights to be restored but was ultimately left with no choice but to abandon the game at 9pm.
It followed an outstanding ceremony to celebrate Remembrance Day before the kick off with large numbers of veterans joining club officials, Dame Caroline Dinenage, and both teams of players around the centre circle. A reading was soon spoken to the crowd before an ‘impeccable’ two minutes of silence; which was a proud moment for everybody involved.
A steady start saw Rory Williams booked before Totton opened the scoring after seven minutes; Charlie Austin heading a brilliant shot into the goal from Tom Blair’s delivery. And it was two-nil on the quarter hour mark when a fast sweeping move was threaded into the bottom right corner by Ethan Taylor with the team appearing to be overrun in their midfield.
It could have been three-nil after seventeen minutes as Tony Lee lashed his half volley into the right side netting, whilst Austin curled just over the bar from the angle moments later. Declan Rose then sadly picked up a nasty injury that saw him replaced by Charlie Kennedy and Asher Yearwood went close with a curler in Gosport’s only attack before the end.
Credit needs to be given to everyone involved on the evening and particularly those who supported the safe movement of supporters despite the pitch darkness; as well as the military band who kept playing on the pitch in the lull before the ‘final abandonment’. Gosport’s next match will see them host Dorchester on Wednesday night in the Southern Premier.
PICTURED BY M&J PHOTOGRAPHY: Players from both teams scramble for a loose ball before power cut ended play.
