Gosport & Fareham chief calls for commitment

If the Gosport Park outfit are to leapfrog their hosts and move out of the bottom three they will need to record their first away win of the season.

To stand any chance of achieving that, Neil McRoberts knows he cannot afford to take a weakened team.

‘We know what is waiting for us at Dover, so we need to go there and get stuck in,’ said the Gosport & Fareham head coach.

‘Some of the players who have made themselves unavailable recently need to take a good look at themselves.

‘At this period of time there are two types of injury – there is an injury and there is a niggle.

‘To dig ourselves out of the situation we find ourselves in, we need to get into a mindset where a niggle doesn’t prevent you from playing.

‘Players just have to accept they should play and it is going to hurt.

‘That is the level of commitment we require if we are going to come through this.

‘As a club we need more of our established players to make themselves available to play Dover. We need to meet the challenge at Dover head on.’

In Hampshire one, Fareham Heathens defend an unbeaten record that stretches back to the opening day of the season.

Ellingham & Ringwood are the visitors to take on the league leaders at Cams Alders.

Heathens coach Bernie Rhodes is looking for no less than a five-point win as his team look to consolidate 
their lead at the top of the table.

‘We beat Ellingham at their place earlier in the season but only after we had given them a 17-point lead,’ said Rhodes.

‘I don’t think we can afford to give them a similar luxury a second time.

‘It is important also that we raise our game and I want to see us collect the bonus points on offer.

‘I am looking for a strong performance.’

Fareham Heathens are 
still without Steve Devoy, who is suffering from cracked ribs.

He will be replaced by 
free-running Fijian Pita Mawi.

Tom Baxter and Rob Impey return to bolster the home side’s midfield.

Elsewhere, basement side Locks Heath Pumas face a daunting visit to title-chasing Millbrook.