No more room for slip-ups for play-off chasing Gosport
14/8/2011 (SPORT) Gosport Borough v Tiverton at Privett Park on Saturday 13th August 2011. Pictured is: (left) Gosport Borough player Lee Molyneaux during the match. Picture: Sarah Standing (112885-9696)
Play-off chasing Gosport Borough need to bounce back to winning ways as they entertain west country visitors Bridgwater Town in Southern League south & west division at Privett Park (3pm).
Borough came unstuck at Tiverton last weekend when they ended up well beaten in a 3-1 loss.
But Alex Pike’s men still managed to maintain their place in the play-off spots and are still just two behind third-placed Paulton Rovers.
Their cause was also helped in midweek after Paulton lost at hope to Bishops Cleeve, while seventh-placed Poole Town went down to Clevedon Town.
Gosport assistant-manager Mick Catlin admits his side can’t afford to slip up again if they are to stay in promotion contention.
‘It is all very tight in our league and we are hanging on to our play-off spot by our fingertips,’ said Catlin.
‘Results went for us in midweek when two of our closest rivals lost to lower sides.
‘That shows that everyone is capable of beating anyone in our league.
‘We have lost only four league games all season, though, and our record at home is excellent.
‘It is important that we capitalise on that and we are confident we can keep ourselves in the mix by beating Bridgwater.’
Borough’s hopes may be hampered, however, by the loss of two of their most experienced defenders.
Lee Molyneaux, who has been impressive this season, starts a three-match ban, and there are doubts over the fitness of central defender Aaron Cook.
Cook has been troubled by ankle ligament problems and pulled out in the warm-up last weekend.
Borough are hoping to patch him up to play alongside stand-in central defender Brett Poate.
Liam Sewell, who came off at Tiverton with a shoulder injury, has responded to treatment and is expected to figure.
And Borough will be hoping top-scorer Justin Bennett can fire the goals to keep them in contention.
Gosport completed the transfer of goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore from the Hawks in midweek after an impressive loan spell.
Catlin admits Borough are looking to strengthen even further for the run-in to the end of the season.
‘Lots of clubs are starting to add to their squad and we will look to do the same,’ he said.
‘We will be aiming at getting a few more bodies in.’
Gosport Borough: Ashmore, Jones, Cook, Poate, Martin, Way, Wooden, Ford, Woodward, Lewis, Bennett, Claridge, Sewell, Wilde, Hards, Langworthy.
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