In the previous fixture between these two local rivals earlier in the season, it was Havant & Waterlooville who came out on top as 3-1 winners. With BORO’ now mathematically safe, all the pressure was on the visitors as they looked to sneak into the playoffs.

This local derby got off to a heated start when on the eighth minute The Hawks were awarded a penalty. Devante Stanley floated a ball into Seager inside the box, eventually being brought down by a sliding tackle from Charlie Wassmer. The referee immediately pointed to spot. Up stood Ryan Seager, who calmly buried home for his 38th goal of the season.

The referee was arguably the busiest man in the game within the first twenty, when another penalty was given on the thirteenth minute mark. This time to Gosport, as youngster Adam Payce’s shot was blocked by the hand of Austin. Having missed a penalty a week prior against Hanwell, Asher Yearwood would be the man taking the set-piece. This time there was no mistake and the attacker sent Ferdinand the wrong way, and rolled the ball into the bottom left corner to put the hosts back on level terms.

Ten minutes before the break Leon Maloney threaded a ball into Ryan Seager who looked set to score. Going for goal, Parkes somehow got a finger to the ball, tipping it onto the crossbar before falling on the ball to ensure no Havant player could get onto the end of it.

Just before the break a Gosport corner looped into the far post saw a shot stabbed at goal. The effort hit the underside of the crossbar, looking like it had bounced over the line but the referee disagreed in arguably the tipping point for this game.

Half-Time: Gosport 1-1 Havant & Waterlooville

Midway through the second half, the Hawks came close as Kealy teed up teammate Pendlebury just outside the 18 yard box. Going for the spectacular goal, the midfielder drove his shot over the bar.

With time ticking down on the clock, HWFC were looking the more likely to grab a second goal. Maloney in the right hand pocket did well to play a through ball into Stanley on the overlap. The right back whipped in a ball across the goal area but unfortunately for the hawks’ there were no players on the end of the cross.

This pressure eventually paid dividends when former Walton-winger, Owusu whipped in a great ball across the six yard box which was met by Ryan Seager’s run. The prolific striker kept his composure to tap home, giving the visitors that needed lead.

In added time Adam Parkes plucked out not one, but two sensation saves. The first of the two saves seeing the keeper’s studs deny the shot of substitute Swann. A few minutes later Adam Parkes denied Harvey Bradbury from close range in another unreal save.

These saves were enough to mean the game ended:

Full-Time: Gosport 1-2 Havant & Waterlooville

A disappointing afternoon for Gosport in terms of the result but a lot of positives to take away from that performance. Just the one game left to play when Gosport travel to Gloucester next week, so we’ll see you then. Final words from me: UP THE BORO!!!

Pictures by M & J Photography

Attendance 1,410

Gosport’s Starting XI