With our last home fixture against Totton being abandoned midway during the match due to a local area power outage, free entry for the replay helped swell the crowd.

Similar to the reversed fixture played a few weeks ago Totton started the much more lively. Showing great tenacity early on Ex-Premier League striker Charlie Austin did well to cut inside of Charlie Wassmer, granting the striker a chance to go for a goal. Stabbing a low-hit shot into the near post forced a good save from Parkes.

A further eight minutes later the visitors’ had their best chance. Kennedy threaded a ball into Taylor in a one-on-one against Parkes. Having Bennett later provide support to the striker, the experienced striker opted to go alone; shooting wide.

Once again Adam Parkes was showing his quality on the twenty minute mark as Totton looped a corner in towards the back post which found Bennett. Taking no time to shoot, Adam Parkes reacted sublimely getting down to make an important save.

Unfortunately for BORO’ the hosts’ couldn’t hang onto their clean sheet, conceding just before the break. The man who scored in the reversed fixture, Charlie Austin got onto the end of a set-piece. Although slightly scuffing his volley, it was still on track to fly past Parkes for Austin’s tenth of the season.

Half-Time: Gosport 0 - 1 AFC Totton

Like Groundhog Day it was almost identical to the second half start made by Gosport when we last played Totton. Fifthteen minutes into the second half Gosport got back onto level terms. An overload in the right hand channel meant a cross could be played across into substitute Samuel Faniyan. The Gosport Nu10 cooly slotted past Ex-Gosport keeper Ryan Gosney, sending the 2013 in attendance wild. A record attendance this season for the Southern League.

Despite BORO’ building momentum after netting the equaliser and looking the more likely to score, the Stags’ had a bit of late magic within the final ten minutes. An attack starting all the way from goalkeeper Gosney worked its way out to the right before a cross was pulled back into Tony Lee. Likewise in the reversed fixture, Lee glanced a header home.

Five minutes of additional time were added on but Gosport could not salvage anything with it finishing:

Full-Time: Gosport 1-2 AFC Totton

This could ultimately be a major three points for Totton as they continue their race against Merthyr for the tittle, as for Gosport a lot to be pleased about with that performance. It was also great to see a new Southern League best attendance recorded, highlighting the ever-growing support around Non League. We go again this Saturday when we take on Poole so we’ll see you then. But final words from me: UP THE BORO!!!

Picture by Jack Aldridge