Southern League Premier South Division – Wednesday 16th August 2023
Gosport Borough 4 v 1 Basingstoke Town Attendance 711
Where: Privett Park, Privett Road, Gosport. PO12 3SX
Dan Brownlie’s line-up for this midweek fixture on the road was: 1. Mark Scott, 2. Kai Hobbs, 3. Callum Winchcombe, 4. Michael Atkinson (Capt), 5. Billy Upton, 6. Scott Armsworth, 7. Bradley Wilson, 8. Ben Cook, 9. Morrison Hashii, 10. Dan Rowe, 11. George Reid
On the bench: D’Andre Brown, Ashleigh Artwell, Markus Johnson-Schuster, Nathan Smart & Joel Halliday
Referee – Daniel Maylon
Stoke’s mid-week game at Gosport, got underway with Stoke on the initial attack, but were unable to put a shot on the homesides goal.
Stoke however continued to push forward and were rewarded with the opening goal, as new signing Morrison Hashii received the ball deep into Gosport’s half then released a timely pass to George Reid, who took the ball into Gosport’s penalty area, before unleashing a right foot shot that beat the keeper as it found the far right-hand corner of the net. GOAL! Gosport Borough 0 – 1 Basingstoke Town (Reid 6 mins)
Stoke continued to press forward, as Gosport struggled to deal with our enterprising attacks.
Stoke continued to be the more assertive team and over the next few minutes.
The homesides first attack was on 15 minutes, as they created a nice passing move which ended with a shot well saved by Mark Scott in goal.
Stoke however came close to adding a second on 18 minutes, as a through ball had Hashii in a 50/50 challenge with Gosport’s keeper, which resulted with the ball sliding just wide of the near post.
Gosport then created another good chance which had Scott making a full-length diving save, as he pushed the ball away towards the by-line. The ball was pushed back into the penalty area, and another on-target shot was blocked by Scott Armsworth, and we were able to send the ball to midfield.
Stoke still looked dangerous through Bradley Wilson on the left and George Reid on the right, but Gosport were able to keep any attacks away from the goalmouth area.
Gosport were coming back into the game, but Stoke’s backline was holding firm as we hit the half-hour.
Stoke came close once again, after Reid found Dan Rowe who hit a shot that forced a great save out of the Gosport keeper.
Further Stoke attacks at the game came close to halftime, was a Wilson shot that flew wide after he cut inside on his right-foot. and two more corners that Gosport were able to defend.
The last chance of the half went to Gosport, but a shot, come cross was punched away by Scott in goal, and the referee blew the halftime whistle, with Stoke going into the break deservedly ahead.
Halftime Score: Gosport Borough 0 – 1 Basingstoke Town
The second-half started with no changes to the Stoke line-up, and the first chance fell to Hashii who had a shot comfortably tipped over the crossbar.
Gosport however were looking to get back into the game and for five minutes, three shots were blocked by the Stoke defence or held by Scott.
Our defence was then breached as Gosport were allowed to score from close range. Gosport 1-1 Basingstoke
We had a brief bit of play in Gosport’s half, but the homeside were looking for blood, and it came on 65 mins. Gosport 2-1 Basingstoke
The second goal forced us to make two changes, with George Reid replaced by D’Andre Brown & Morrison Hashii replaced by Ashleigh Artwell.
Stoke pushed forward, but Gosport seemed to increase their control, as attempts on goal were scarce.
Despite Michael Atkinson & Ben Cook seeming to cover four roles on the pitch it was Gosport were looking likely to add to their lead.
On 83 minutes, after good work beating his marker, wasted his chance as his shot flew high over the bar.
The home crowd who had been silent for most of he game, were urging their team on, and their third goal finally came on 92 minutes.
A fourth was to arrive on 95 minutes, as we headed to our second defeat in five days.
The game restarted and the referee could time on the game and blew the final whistle.
Full-time Score: Gosport Borough 4 v 1 Basingstoke Town
Wooden 58 mins, Rew 65 & 95 mins, Reid 6 mins
Kavanagh 92 mins
Match Thought’s
Another positive start with George Reid getting his first of the season. Morrison Hashii making his first league start looked competent and put their back four under pressure at times. Atkinson & Cook worked their socks off, but in the end to no avail, as the loss leaves us in 18th whilst the win put Gosport top at this early stage of the season.
It will be interesting to see how we line-up against 17th placed Harrow Borough in two days-time.
Up Next:
Next Saturday we host Harrow Borough at Winklebury with a 3pm KO
Match Report by Martin French..
Played well, but were punished defensively.