Gosport Borough must return to their grafting ways

RESTORING pride is top of the agenda for Gosport Borough as they take on Wealdstone in Vanarama National League South at Privett Park (3pm).
Aaron Dawson. Picture: Habibur RahmanAaron Dawson. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Aaron Dawson. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Borough’s confidence took a huge knock with their 6-0 home defeat at the hands of Chelmsford City.

The home side crumbled in an alarming manner to concede five goals in a disastrous second half.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Manager Alex Pike apologised to the fans afterwards for the manner of his side’s defeat.

Assistant manager Mick Catlin could count himself lucky as he missed the game.

Catlin was in Mexico for his son’s wedding but followed the game on social media.

‘It was okay in the first half when we were just 1-0 down,’ said Catlin.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Then I went for a swim and when I came back we were suddenly 4-0 down.

‘Since coming back I have watched the goals and we were dreadful.

‘We committed far too many individual errors.

‘Gosport have always prided themselves on their ability to out-work teams.

‘That isn’t happening and we don’t look a team at the moment.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Catlin insists, however, Borough can start to put the debacle behind them by beating Wealdstone.

The loss left them 12th in the league and they don’t want to drop any lower.

With a poor away record it is vital Borough do well in their home games.

If they don’t Catlin fears they could get sucked into a relegation battle.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Borough badly missed Joe Oastler and Aaron Dawson against Chelmsford City and are glad to see them return this weekend.

Oastler, who is captain, has provided a solid presence at the back.

His leadership and organisational quality could have made a huge difference last weekend when things started to go wrong at the back.

Catlin rates Dawson as Borough’s most consistent player this season and they could also have done with his work-rate and work ethic.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Aaron Dawson has covered every blade of grass this season,’ said Catlin.

‘He is strong on the ball and gives us a different dimension.

‘For us to have both him and Joe Oastler coming straight back in is a big bonus.

‘It is important we stay mentally strong and show a greater resilience.’

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Borough will also need their strikers to start firing again after a spell of being below par.

They missed a number of good chances before Chelmsford opened the scoring.

Catlin is determined to ensure the team don’t go on a losing run.

He said: ‘We have got to start winning games particularly at home.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘You can’t go too long in his league without wins or you soon find yourself in trouble.’

GOSPORT BOROUGH: Rice, Cuthbertson, Oastler, Poate, Carmichael, Dawson, Harding, Carter, Wooden, Bentley, Wright, Bailey, Wilde, Barron, Bird