Gosport Borough bounce back from Trophy exit as the Hawks remain in trouble

‘That’s where we’re looking to be’, was Mick Catlin’s response after Gosport Borough moved into promotion contention at Bracknell Town on Tuesday night.

Two late goals from Michael Agboola (89th minute) and Michael Fernandes (90+2) secured Boro an impressive 3-1 win against the Robins, which moved them up to seventh in the table and in the play-off places.

Billy Bodin was also on the mark for the visitors, who went into the game on the back of successive defeats, including Saturday’s 2-0 home reverse at the hands of Chichester City in the FA Trophy.

Director of Football Catlin wanted to see an immediate response from his team following those two disappointing losses.

And while he was disheartened that Bracknell cancelled out Bodin’s opener on the stroke of half-time, he was delighted with the positives that were on display from his Borough players - and their rise up the table.

‘Great, yeah. That's where we're looking to be, in the play-off positions,’ he said post-match.

‘A bit disappointed in our last two performances really so we wanted a bit of a reaction from the players.

‘(There were plenty of) positives and something to build on for everyone going into Saturday (against Hanwell Town).

‘I thought it was a good performance. We got our noses in front in the first half, but disappointed to concede before half-time.

‘(That) probably changed the team talk a little bit because I thought it was quite a positive first half.

‘It probably put us on a little bit of a downer going into the second half. But I think we just showed a bit of quality when we needed it.’

While Gosport moved up the table, the Hawks’ troubles at the other end continued after they suffered a midweek loss at the hands of Hanwell.

There have been many comings and goings at Westleigh Park since managerial duo Pat Suraci and Joe Lea replaced Aaron Martin in the hotseat earlier this month.

However, their new-look side suffered a second defeat in a row as they went down 6-1 at the OCS Community Stadium.

After trailing 3-0 at the break, Leon Maloney got the visitors back into the game on 53 minutes. Yet a dramatic comeback never materialised as Hanwell went on to add a further three goals before the 90 minutes were up.

The defeat leaves the Hawks sitting 21st in the table with nine points from their 14 league games played to date.

They’re next in action on Saturday when they host Taunton Town at Westleigh Park.

Also in the Southern League premier division south, Chichester City’s promotion hopes were dented after they suffered a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Hanworth Villa.

In the Isthmian South central division, Danny Holland’s Bognor were knocked off the top spot following their 2-2 draw at Cobham.

Jersey Bulls now lead the way following their 3-1 win against AFC Porchester, who sit 10th.

Moneyfields beat Liss Athletic 11-1 in the Russell Cotes Cup in their first game since manager Callum Glen’s departure.

Other results: Petersfield 0-3 AFC Aldermaston.