Cox steals show to keep Gosport flying high
Gosport Borough are in joint-second place in the Southern League south and west division after crushing Bideford 4-1 at Privett Park.
Unbeaten Borough were thankful to new striker Pat Cox.
Two stunning goals either side of the interval from man-of-the-match Cox inspired the victory.
But Borough also came under threat when they handed the North Devon visitors a penalty for a push in the area.
Jamie Mudge stepped up to send Borough keeper Grant Porter the wrong way from the spot and the pattern of play switched very much in favour of Bideford.
They looked capable of earning a point from a match that should have been beyond them.
The threat finally sparked Borough back into life and, with former Salisbury City hit man Cox providing the lungs of a three-pronged strike force alongside Justin Bennett and James Taylor, the goals flowed.
Midfielder Ian Jones struck a belter that even eclipsed Cox's earlier strikes as he took on a tiring Bideford defence single-handedly before rifling a low shot into the corner of the net.
Borough still had enough energy left to make certain there was no way back for Bideford.
Bennett jinked through before ramming home number four from close range, leaving Pike to sing the praises of a side that were missing several key players through injury.
'I was already without Ryan Long and Alex Ward through injury before my skipper Dave Birmingham pulled a hamstring in the warm-up,' said Pike.
'And with Jamie Ford and Dean Arnold unavailable, it gave the lads who stepped into the side an opportunity to shine – and they did just that.
'After the disappointment of losing in the FA Cup in midweek, we showed no adverse reaction and I'm delighted with the performance that takes us up near the top of the league table.'
Borough are in friendly action tonight when they take on a Pompey development side.
'The lads were told to enjoy the rest of the weekend and come back in fresh this evening for the visit of Pompey, for which I'm sure will give everyone a lot of satisfaction – players and fans alike,' said Pike.
'Whatever side Pompey manager Steve Cotterill decides to send over will be a challenge for us and even though it's a friendly, we hope to do well and show everyone what we are all about.
'The result is not that important, though to do well against a professional club like Pompey is a confidence-boosting exercise that can only help us do well.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 3 C
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