FA Trophy progress can help Gosport Borough get back on the map

Craig McAllister wants Gosport Borough to make the most of home advantage for their FA Trophy first qualifying round tie against AFC Totton.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Oct 2018, 17:05 BST
Updated 25th Oct 2018, 18:10 BST
Gosport Borough feel more comfortable playing at Privett Park. Picture: Chris MoorhouseGosport Borough feel more comfortable playing at Privett Park. Picture: Chris Moorhouse
Gosport Borough feel more comfortable playing at Privett Park. Picture: Chris Moorhouse

Though the visitors play one level below them McAllister knows they will arrive fancying their chances of an upset.

But Gosport have great pedigree in the competition and if they can go well again it will really help the club get back on the map for the right reasons.

They are better at home as well. 

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If they are on top form they will certainly hope to make progress from the tie on Saturday at Privett Park (3pm).

The Borough boss said: '˜This is a competition in which this football club has a great history.

'˜They reached the final and played at Wembley which was a fantastic achievement.

'˜If we match half of what that side achieved in reaching the final then we would have done very well.

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'˜Considering our home form is far superior to our away form all we could have asked for was a home tie.

'˜This still doesn't make it an easy task and we can't just turn up and expect to win. 

'˜The big word at the moment for our group of players is consistency.

'˜We need to start putting a run of wins together. 

'˜Knowing the Totton manager and his assistant as I do, this cup tie will not be an easy one for us. 

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'˜They are both experienced in the game and will have their team right up for it.

'˜All I ask from my players is that we match their work-rate and effort and by doing so, we will see a positive result.  '˜Having lost in the FA Cup in the early stages, it is important we have a good run in this competition and put the club back on the cup map.

'˜To do this we all need to roll our sleeves up and work harder than ever while at the same time giving our fans something to get excited about.'

McAllister will also insist his team stop conceding poor goals and cut out giving soft penalties away.

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They were guilty of that again in their 2-0 defeat at Frome Town.

He added: '˜After playing some of our best football of the season we allowed Frome to score an easy goal just before half-time.

'˜Then we gave away a penalty and it killed our momentum. 

'˜But you can't rugby tackle someone in the penalty area .

'˜We tried to break them down but couldn't.

'˜The simple fact is we are giving too many penalties away.

'˜We need to be more careful in the box and keep our concentration more.'

Related topics:GosportGosport BoroughFA TrophyWembley