Match Preview | Gosport Borough

Gosport Borough v Tiverton Town 

Saturday 22^nd November 3pm kick off 

The AEI Stadium 

It will be a fortnight since the Yellows’ last lined up against Hanwell in London. Can the hard work that has been put in on the training ground and the chance to regroup, press the reset button and see the team halt a lengthy losing run? 

There will be no shortage of effort or spirit from Asa Hall and Steve Orchard's side on show this Saturday, but they will be very conscious of the areas in which they need to improve if they're to become a competitive side in this division. Ability wise this is a talented crop of players, but a business-like approach collectively is still elusive. 

Whether the injuries to Louis Jagger Cane and Dean Moxey have healed sufficiently for them to take some part in this game is questionable, however despite the enormity of the challenge, the squad need to adopt a siege mentality and present a united front against sixth placed, play off chasing Gosport. 

Despite Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat at Wimborne, our hosts in contrast have been in decent form. A draw with Sholing at the end of October on the road, followed by a home win against Hungerford and an away win at Taunton leave The Boro in good shape. 

Former Totton boss Glen Howe’s currently manages the Hampshire side and his undoubted experience at this level, has also seen him previously in charge at Dorchester. That obvious know-how has to be a factor in Gosport’s impressive campaign, so far. In his playing days Howe also played with distinction for the club he is now in charge of. 

He does have a squad with players who have proven pedigree in this standard of football and higher, from which to choose from. Rafa Ramos who endured a difficult time at Poole last season and then finished the season at Hungerford, has returned to Gosport where he was prolific beforehand and has rediscovered his goalscoring touch. 

He has six league goals this term and the tall, gifted striker is supported in the goal’s column by ex-Totton centre forward Ethan Taylor, who has provided a notable 9 goals in this division. Taylor has twelve goal involvements from thirteen games, with three assists highlighting his dangerous all-round forward play. 

Forwards Michael Fernandes and Trevor Caborn are both match winners on their day. Fernandes who scored a hattrick against us for Swindon Supermarine during the last campaign can be enigmatic, but the skilful, quick footed winger can also be an explosive proposition. An academy player with Colchester, he has additionally played for Farnborough, Hayes & Yeading, Poole, Salisbury and Hungerford. 

Caborn is a much-admired player, after starring for Winchester in the previous two seasons. A well-balanced winger with plenty of ability, he is another to catch the eye when in the opposing line up. The evergreen Dan Wooden has a twelve-year association with the home side. Beginning as a striker, the long serving player has pedigree having played a step higher with the club and began his senior career in the 2011/12 season. 

Now utilised primarily as a midfielder, the crowd favourite is a strong performer in The Southern Premier League South. Kaya Tshaka a close season recruit from Havant & Waterlooville is a blossoming talent and has featured heavily for The Boro this term. A regular in midfield, Tshaka is a product of Eastleigh’s youth system and also spent time on loan at Poole. 

There is plenty of pedigree in Gosport’s backline. None more so than centre back Charlie Wassmer who played in the EFL for Crawley and Dagenham & Redbridge. A big player in the National League/Conference, he has also represented Hayes and Yeading when they were playing in the Conference, Fleetwood Town, Cambridge United and Maidstone United.  

Former Havant & Waterlooville, Totton and Sholing defender Benny Read is a talented and solid performer with a wealth of experience to offer to his new team-mates. He is another to have a good grounding at Eastleigh. Fellow ex-Totton defender Adam Tomasso made over 150 appearances for the Stags and was an integral part of their promotion winning team. 

Cultured, left back Rory Williams is into his eleventh season with the Boro. Although the battle-hardened Williams also spent three seasons at Havant & Waterlooville when they were plying their trade higher up the football pyramid.  

Ben Greenwood is a left sided defender who was a pro with Bournemouth and made a cup appearance for the first team in the 22/23 campaign. The highly thought of youngster also has good experience with both Eastleigh and Weymouth and has proved a notable acquisition on loan from Farnborough, for our hosts.  

Gosport’s number one is talented stopper, 25-year-old Ryan Hall who has spent the majority of his senior career at Aldershot, having been on loan at Dorchester during the 2022/23 campaign, he is an ever present this term. 

A new signing has been made, with ex Torquay youngster Jack Kennell arriving from Exmouth Town. The nineteen year old midfielder, a technical player and promising playmaker who was with Willand will come into contention for a starting place. The quest for points is becoming a necessity, and the management team and players will be hoping to turn the fortunes and direction of our season around, starting on Saturday at Gosport.