Gosport hope to upset Sutton & Epsom

Head coach Neil McRoberts insists his players are raring to go after a month without a game.

They are particularly aggrieved that their home game against Tottonians didn’t go ahead last weekend.

McRoberts believes the players are ready to take their frustrations out on the south London visitors.

‘Our players are champing at the bit to get back out there,’ said McRoberts.

‘There is a lot of frustration after last weekend.

‘Our players had put a lot of time and effort into preparing for the game.

‘They all turned around to a man and immediately said they would be available for this weekend.

‘We haven’t played for four weeks so there is a renewed enthusiasm to get out there and get stuck in.’

In the absence of playing any games McRoberts has seen his team slip back into the bottom three, a point behind Dover.

Gosport have two games in hand on their closest rivals, however, who they travel to meet in a few weeks time.

McRoberts side showed in the first meeting with Sutton & Epsom that they can match them.

They even felt they could have won the contest.

Sutton & Epsom were put under pressure.

They had to really battle hard to get the victory.

‘At their place we did more than enough to come away with one if not more points,’ said McRoberts.

‘We forced them back behind the gain line and made life difficult for them.

‘It is vital we do that again because if you allow them the space to play they can be very dangerous.

‘Once again we will have to make sure we get in their faces and don’t allow them to play.

‘We know we are capable of matching them in the tight and possess the quality in our three-quarters to be threatening ourselves.’

The home side do make one change to their starting line-up with the experienced Ben Madigan replacing Dan Turner in the back-row.

It gives the hosts a highly experienced back-row trio, capable of putting the visitors on the back foot.

Gosport are also able to field a strong midfield for the game which McRoberts feels could prove equally important.

‘At Sutton a lot of the action took place in the midfield where we had the upper hand for long spells,’ said McRoberts.

‘If we can repeat that and add a little better game management we can do well.’

GOSPORT & FAREHAM: Jack Brawn, Tom Lewis, Wayne Dugan, Kieron McRoberts, Rory Penfold, Sam Foster, Wes Dugan, Ben Lanigan, Danny Gamblin, Freddie O’Toole, Ben Roberts, Trevor Westerman, Tim Snowden, Ben Madigan, Chris Thompson.

Replacements: Nathan Titchener, Simon Trivet, Kieron Darrington.