Borough boss unhappy to share spoils

Both teams scored from the penalty spot in a game largely dictated by the horrendous conditions.

Borough worked hard to get the game on but the heavily-sanded playing surface was hardly conducive to playing football.

Pike accepted the pitch was a great leveller but was unhappy that the visitors kept 11 players on the pitch.

He felt Wealdstone goalkeeper Sam Howes should have been sent off when he upended debut-making Tony Lee for the Borough penalty.

‘I’d like to thank the ground staff for getting the game on,’ said Pike

‘It was important from a financial point of view and from that perspective it was the right decision.

‘From a footballing point of view it was the wrong one.

‘It was played on a beach with the wind and rain and that is always a leveller.

‘I think it probably went against us and I am not happy we dropped two points.

‘The conditions were the only winner on the day.’

Pike named a slightly altered starting XI with the departing Tom Dunford left out of the squad.

Lee was included to make his full Borough debut and he almost made a dream start with an early snapshot which bounced off the post.

Both goals came in the space of a chaotic few minutes just after the half hour.

On 32 minutes, the league’s top goalscorer, Justin Bennett, clinically converted from the spot after Howe’s indiscretion.

Pike was adamant Howe should have received a straight red card.

‘I am disappointed the referee didn’t send the goalkeeper off,’ he said.

‘The lad should have walked but the referee showed him a lot of compassion by allowing for the conditions.’

Within three minute,s Wealdstone were level with a penalty of their own after the referee spotted a foul in the Borough box.

Jefferson Louis sent Nathan Ashmore the wrong way with his spot-kick.

‘I will have to do an Arsene Wenger on their penalty,’ said Pike.

‘All I saw was Ryan Woodford go to ground but was unsure whether he made the foul or not.’

Borough had a let-off at the start of the second half when Scott Davies’ cross almost caught Ashmore out.

Fortunately for Borough he just managed to tip the ball away, only for Brett Poate to send his clearance against his own crossbar.

Though the end-to-end action continued until the closing minutes, neither side could find another breakthrough.

‘In the end we have come away with a point,’ said Pike.

‘We always say don’t lose and we didn’t but it’s at home and we want to be winning our home games.’

Gosport Borough: Ashmore, Cuthbertson, Williams, Carter, Poate, Woodford, Barker, Harding, Lee (Wilde 75), Bennett, Wooden

Att: 593.