Coming off of the first leg where we were the better side throughout the game, many fans thought we could grab a result against the Tigers in the replay.

For Gosport the game couldn’t have gotten off to a better start as we grabbed an early lead on the seventh minute. Last week our Achilles heel was two mistakes at the back and it looked to be reversed in this replay, with goalkeeper Harvey slipping on the ball. Alfie Stanley was quick to pounce, passing the ball into an open net to give the visitors the lead.

We saw debutant Gosport keeper Ryan Gosney back in goal and once again he was controlling everything inside his box. Emett did take a crack at goal on the tenth minute, with the former Sholing man doing well to tip the shot wide.

BORO’ could have cushioned their lead ten minutes before the break after causing carnage in the host’s box. A blue body fired a bullet header straight down the route of the Gloucester goalkeeper which was later smothered by Harvey.

Gloucester also nearly conceded their second from another mistake which saw the same man Alfie Stanley take advantage. The striker dragged a low-driven shot towards goal forcing a solid save from Harvey. With the half time whistle sounding:

Half-Time: Gloucester City 0-1 Gosport

Starting the half how they finished, Gosport continued their relentless form. Cameron Murray controlling the centre of the park the whole night, was rewarded by being gifted a ball just outside the box. Rifling a powerful shot at the host’s goal, the midfielder’s shot hit the crossbar and fell back into Gloucester possession.

Twenty yards outside Gosney’s goal, the Tigers were given a free-kick in a good area following a trip on Burns on the 70th minute. Last week’s goalscorer Grubb stepped up, lashing an effort high of the BORO’ crossbar.

With ten minutes left on the clock, substitute Kian Towse had his chance to leave his mark on the game. Striking a tame shot just wide of the right post.

With Gosport being the noisier of the two sets of fans, they really acted as our twelfth man and Gosport’s way of saying thank you was by grabbing a late winner. Tarbuck storming down the left hand flank, did well to get past Duffus leaving him up against Harvey. Finessing one past the keeper meant we would be the team progressing the next round of the FA Cup.

Full-Time: Gloucester City 0-2 Gosport

Easily this is one of our best performances in years! Every player showed huge quality from those expiernced leaders to the youngsters adding boosts of energy. One I’m sure all Gosport fans will remember for a long time and we will now be hoping we can go one further after being drawn to National League North side Oxford City. We return on the league Saturday when we visit Merthyr, so we’ll see you then. But final words from me: UP THE BORO!!!

NEXT UP at the AEI this coming Thursday Night - Gosport Under 18’s are at home in the FA Youth Cup against Winchester.
The Bar will be Open and food is available.
Come support the Boys

Fans Photos by Phil Churcher