Gosport Borough vs Poole Town – Match Preview
The defeat against Frome on Saturday dropped us into the bottom four for the first time this season. However, as we know the table is very congested, especially at the lower end, so a couple of wins will make all the difference. Our next match is the trip along the M27 to take on Gosport Borough at Privett Park. This will be a swift return for Joe and Pat which I’m sure they will be looking forward to.
It’s never a good thing to be involved in the relegation struggle but Dolphin fans can have full confidence that everything possible is being done to give us opportunity to earn the points needed to climb the table. Such as the re-signing of the very popular defender Jamar Smith who left the club to join Gosport in October. That of course means that Pat & Joe have worked with him recently and know exactly what Jamar will offer to the squad.
Another player who has been giving us very consistent performances in recent weeks is midfielder Billy Lowes. Without doubt he is one of the most technically gifted players in his position, an energetic box to box midfielder with an eye for goal. Lowes started his semi-professional career with Poole Town FC as a 17-year-old.
After a two-year spell at AFC Totton where he excelled, the dynamic midfielder spent five years patrolling the midfield for Dorchester Town making 186 appearances for the Magpies across five seasons, scoring 12 goals. He made the decision to join Bashley and after an impressive season, he earnt himself a move to the Dolphins, and has been one of our standout players since the start of this season. His superb strike against Plymouth Parkway in one of the final games of the 2023/24 season will never be forgotten.
We are in 19th place in the table (P28 W7 D8 L12 29 points) and from our 13 matches on the road, we have collected 13 points. We have picked up important wins at Marlow, Frome and Basingstoke.
Gosport were in league action on Wednesday evening when they entertained AFC Totton, the first of three consecutive home fixtures. This match was free entry for all supporters which was a great gesture by the club and attracted a massive crowd of 2013. Unfortunately for Boro they couldn’t hold on to the point that looked likely after Faniyan had equalised Charlie Austin’s first half opener. Tony Lee gave AFC Totton all three points with his 81st minute strike. This leaves Gosport in 13th place (P27 W8 D9 L10 33 points) and a long way off where they would like to be. Last season they finished in 4th place and were beaten in the play-off semi-final by Salisbury.
After Pat & Joe left the Boro, the club quickly appointed the ex-Portsmouth midfielder Danny Hollands as Player/ Manager. The 39-year-old is being backed in his first managerial role by Boro’s Football Operations Manager Mark Summerhill, who will be temporary assistant manager.
With 14 matches left to play each one seems like a must win game. The lads need our support more than ever and I am sure there will be a great following at Privett Park on Saturday.
Enjoy the game
Neil Wellington.