A solitary defensive slip coupled with a lack of potency in front of goal cost United on Thursday evening as Gosport Borough took all three points home from Kingfield courtesy of a goal just before the hour mark from half-time substitute Dan Woodward which leaves United precariously sitting just above the drop-line with three games left to play.
Manager Phil Babb was forced into a change between the sticks, with first choice Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz still recovering from the concussion he received at Dorchester 48 hours earlier, it was to be a first start for understudy Charlie Crowley in the United goal. Two outfield changes saw Ben Gerring and Rashid Yussuff return to the starting XI in place of Niall McManus and Ben Brown who took places on the bench along with Geoff Mitchell who has returned from his loan spell with Billericay Town.
But for a raised assistants flag it could have been the start dreams are made of for United as Freddie Ladapo found the net after just 11 seconds only to be denied by the offside flag.
After this little bit of excitement it took almost 30 minutes for the next effort to hit the notebook as the visitors smothered the productivity of the United midfield while the United defence comfortably repelled the constant long ball threat from Borough. Although between times United were vociferous in claiming a penalty for handball in the box by a Gosport defender but for the second time in less than a week the referee ignored the claim.
United forced a first save of the game from experienced Borough keeper Nathan Ashmore in the 26th minute when Pat Cox held the ball up well before feeding Jack Mills, he slid the ball to Ladapo in the box but his shot from a tight angle was gathered at the second attempt by Ashmore.
With the break approaching, both sides’ saw a small opening as first Ashmore comfortably saved from Ladapo after he was again set up through good work from Cox and Mills and then from the expect big punt upfield, the ball was collected by Dan Wooden who tried his luck from just outside the box but Crowley scooped his effort up with ease.
Twice in stoppage time the visitors could have taken the lead. A free-kick from the left was curled deep to the far post to be met on the volley by Sam Pearce, the fiercely struck effort just clearing the United goal and then within a minute Wooden again had the ball in the box but he lofted the ball straight into Crowley’s arms.
United started the second half in the ascendancy, Rashid Yussuff fed Ladapo but his drive from 18 yards was always riding and din’t trouble Ashmore and then Cox laid the ball off to Luke Williams who struck a crisp shot from 25 yards that deflected off a defender sending Ashmore the wrong way but went just the wrong side of the post.
Then just before the hour mark disaster struck for United as Dean Inman slid for the ball but failed to connect allowing Wooden to nip in and shoot for goal, Crowley spread himself to make an excellent stop with an outstretched boot but sadly for the home side the ball ran to Borough substitute Dan Woodward who cracked the ball home from 10 yards to give his side the lead.
United continued to push forwards against a resolute and experienced Gosport back-line, Niall McManus who had recently arrived from the bench cut-in superbly from the left and hit a curling shot towards the far corner that Ashmore had to dive full stretch to push around the post, Ben Gerring met the resultant corner but could only provide catching practise for the visiting keeper.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, Chimdi Akubuine made a forceful run down the right side before picking out Geoff Mitchell at the far stick, his header being well blocked by a recovering defender.
United’s best effort came six minutes from time with Ashmore producing the save of the game, Gerring collected the ball on the half way line and moved forwards before hitting what appeared to be a perfect dipping drive from fully 40 yards only for the back-peddling Ashmore to superbly tip the ball over the bar.
The final chance of the game fell to the visitors as Justin Bennett found space in the United box but his rushed snapshot went wide of the post.
Report by Kevin Watts.
United Man of the Match: Ben Gerring.
Print the Teamsheet: Here.
