Wooden: Derby win is all that matters

Dan Wooden would love to repeat his wonder-goal heroics against the Hawks in tonight's National League South derby at Westleigh Park.
Dan Wooden in action against Maidenhead United on Saturday Picture: Alan HargreavesDan Wooden in action against Maidenhead United on Saturday Picture: Alan Hargreaves
Dan Wooden in action against Maidenhead United on Saturday Picture: Alan Hargreaves

Wooden became a nationwide overnight sensation after he scored with a spectacular overhead kick in Gosport Borough’s 2-1 Boxing Day win over their local rivals.

His effort was labelled non-league goal of the season and was plastered all over social media.

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The midfielder had his back to goal inside the Hawks area when the ball was played through to him.

His first touch lifted the ball to shoulder height, before Wooden produced a magnificent bicycle-kick effort to beat visiting keeper Ryan Young at his near post.

‘I don’t know about repeating that but I will be just as happy if we pick up another three points,’ said Wooden.

‘I didn’t think anything about the goal once the game finished but suddenly it was posted on social media.

‘Then it popped up on Soccer AM, which was a real bonus.

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‘It was nice to get the recognition for doing something like that.

‘My team-mates made sure I kept my feet on the ground and I took a lot of stick at training.’

Wooden was in the Borough starting line-up that beat Maidenhead United 2-1 at the weekend.

The win kept the Privett Park side’s momentum going and consolidated their position in the play-off places.

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Wooden is looking to help his team complete a league double over their neighbours and at the same time strengthen their position further.

‘We have picked up a couple of wins in a row without really playing that well,’ added the midfielder.

‘Maybe it is a good sign that we are grinding out wins despite not being at our best.

‘That is something that we seem to be good at doing.

‘We are often able to out-battle teams.

‘This time of year, on heavy pitches, it is often more about battling qualities than football ability.

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‘Tonight’s game will be no different and we must be prepared to go there and dig in.

‘The Hawks will be especially keen to prevent us from doing the double over them.

‘These local derbies are usually feisty affairs and I don’t see this one being any different.

‘We are up in the play-off places and deserve to be there.

‘It is the second season we have been challenging for a play-off place, so it is no fluke.

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‘All we want to do is keep our winning run going so that we can try and clinch a spot as early as possible.

‘Another three points against the Hawks will help.’

Gosport Borough: Ashmore, Cuthbertson, Williams, Carter, Poate, Woodford, Barker, Robinson, Wort, Bennett, Wooden, Wilde, Harding, Brice, Jerrard, May

Elsewhere, Petersfield Town will be hoping their Southern League class will get them through a tough Russell-Cotes Cup tie at AFC Portchester.

The Rams know they will have to be at the very top of their game to get past their high-flying Wessex premier division hosts to book their place in the semi-final.

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‘I am expecting a very tough game at Portchester,’ said Rams boss Ian Saunders.

‘They are a very good side who have ambitions to get to the same level of the non-league pyramid that we are at.’

In the Portsmouth Senior Cup, Moneyfields host Horndean, while Fareham play Bournemouth Poppies in the Wessex League premier division.