This blockbuster of a game got off to a fierce start, as just 14 minutes into the game the Welsh side got the opener. Smerdon marching through Gosport’s defence, unleashed a shot forcing Steward to push it out into the danger zone. With the ball falling to the feet of Handley who struck a thunderbolt into the top corner to break the deadlock! 0 - 1

With a minute left of the first half, Frazer Thomas was in the thick of the action once again! Just outside of the Gosport box, Thomas lashed a shot inches wide which should have seen the lead doubled going into the second half.

Half time 0 - 1

Like many other performances this season, Gosport tend to be a second half side.
This was shaping up to be the same case as three minutes into the second half Fuller had to pull off a wondersave! Tarbuck with a deep cross found Ramos in the centre of the box. The Portuguese striker fired an effort towards the upper corner with Fuller flying to his right and deflecting it out for a corner.

Although Gosport couldn’t do anything with the corner, on the 58th minute they found their equaliser! It was a similar scenario to the previous chance, this time Tarbuck’s cross met Ramos at the edge of the box. With the striker firing home to get his eighth of the season. 1 - 1

Gosport’s home crowd were in full voice and the place was rocking!

Gosport weren’t done yet! With fifteen minutes left to play, Gosport secured their second. Like an architect, goalscorer Ramos placed an inch-perfect pass matching up to the run of prolific striker Dan Wooden. With the veteran tapping it home; sending the 768 fans in attendance wild.

Merthyr did have some final chances. With some of the efforts replicating the ones to what are currently being produced in the Six Nations. But unfortunately for Merthyr they struggled to string together any serious chances and it finished 2-1

This game is sure to have a big impact on the promotion battle and it looks as though this race could go down right until the final day…

Gosport Starting XI
Steward, Kavanagh, Jordan, Morrison, Williams, Tarbuck, Hookey, Hollands, Ramos, Wooden, Scrimshaw

POTM: Rafa Ramos

Picture by Tom Phillips