FootballSport

Stags secure late success against nine-men Borough

By Connor Steel

GOSPORT BOROUGH slipped to their second successive defeat in four days as they travelled to title challenging AFC Totton on Saturday afternoon; eventually succumbing to a late two-one loss against their local rivals after a hard-fought and feisty derby encounter that was watched by a large gate at Snows Stadium despite the freezing cold temperatures.

The hosts made a bright start and saw the first chance within six minutes from a free-kick; Tony Lee blasting this driven attempt into the wall before just dragging over the rebound. This was soon followed by two brilliant opportunities for the hosts through both Charlie Austin and Ethan Taylor, who placed the effort wide off target during the first fifteen minutes.

Rivalry was playing its part with Danny Hollands and Austin earning yellows for an ‘off-the-ball incident’ on twenty-three minutes; which was followed by a period of niggly tackles to break down the attacking flows. But Gosport were working themselves into the match and saw Samuel Faniyan fire goalwards; his shot being comfortably saved by Ryan Gosney.

Dan Wooden followed up with a floated header on thirty-three minutes before Totton re-asserted their early control with a state of possession; which ended in a drive for Austin that flashed past the right stick. The experienced striker further set up a second opportunity in added time as he fed Taylor whose shot was nodded off the line to end the half goalless.

Gosport came out quicker upon the restart and took the lead from a corner in the fiftieth minute; Asher Yearwood’s neat back-heel allowing Alfie Stanley to hook home a clinical finish. This led to an eagerness that proved to be their downfall before the hour when Hollands slid into a home player in a late fifty-fifty challenge and was given a second yellow card.

Another red card soon followed for the visitors as Charlie Wassmer was suddenly given the second booking after sixty-one minutes; thus leaving Gosport with 9 men against the improving home momentum. Taylor had a low shot deflected by Joe Morrison and Sam Magri’s fine header flew over the bar whilst Ben Seymour was stopped low by Adam Parkes.

Totton deservedly scored their equaliser on seventy-seven minutes as Lee ran through and calmly beat the goalkeeper with a shot off the post; which sparked relieved cheers for the home contingent. And these big celebrations were made louder as the home side scored a winner with seven to play; Scott Rendell netting a deft touch to earn this three points.

Victory means that Totton remain second and nine points behind Merthyr with three games in hand; one of these being the ‘reverse fixture’ versus Borough that was abandoned on November 8. Meanwhile Gosport stay in mid-table after 24 matches and face a defining month of action in the league, beginning with a trip from Walton & Hersham next Saturday.

PICTURED BY TOM PHILLIPS PHOTOGRAPHY: Stags’ attacker prepares to head in corner in a crowded penalty box.