Ford give in to Gosport

Chandlers Ford Youth 1-3 Gosport

Mid Solent B League – 8th March 2008

Chandlers Ford came into this return fixture with Gosport, who they have faced in back-to-back consecutive fixtures, buoyed by their extremely pleasing 2-2 draw last weekend with the same opponents.

Add to that the return to the side of Josh Harrigan and Daryl Winter who were both available for selection, Ford seemingly had a great opportunity to record a rare three points in this home game against the extremely physical and determined Gosport side.

Within the opening two minutes of the game Michael Sawbridge crashed a fantastic free kick against the woodwork with the goalkeeper beaten all ends up by this terrific effort.

CFY made the most of their lively opening and pressure on the Gosport goal racing into the best possible start with an early 1-0 lead. Just five minutes were on the clock when Josh Harrigan’s long throw on from the right hand side was flicked on perfectly into the path of Michael Wall by Jozef Montigue. Wall, who scored an excellent goal last Saturday with a tidy finish, wasted little time in making an impact again as he swept the ball home on the volley with the ball dipping just under the cross bar.

Liam was rarely troubled in between the sticks but when called upon made the necessary saves to build upon his man of the match winning display a week earlier. The back four of Harrigan, Michael Sawbridge, Jake Beattie and Jacob Ellery – who maintained his place at left back on merit for a whole-hearted performance in the 2-2 draw, were solid and reliable competing for and winning almost everything.

Down the left flank Daryl Winter put in an inspiring display with his positive running, enthusiasm and will to win. Winter created several opportunities for the front two of Wall and Montigue who combined to good effect on numerous occasions coming close more than once.

Ahmed Sfagsi was commanding at the heart of the midfield as always, giving his all and more for the cause as Ford looked to be set up with the right balance and mentality to go on and build on the platform of the 1-0 lead that they held going in at the break.

HALF TIME: CFY 1-0 Gosport

The second half was a big let down and disappointment with the attitude of certain players towards two changes made at the break producing a highly negative outlook from the people involved causing the battle to be lost mentally which soon spread throughout the team.

There was no longer the focus, positivity and belief in the side who were holding the lead as the all too familiar story of heads dropping inevitably let the visitors come right back into a game that they were never in throughout the first half.

Sure enough Gosport took full advantage with an early strike that looped over the head of Wall who had replaced Godfrey as goalkeeper as one of those changes made at half time.

An equalising goal was all that it took for Gosport to gain momentum and Ford to slump even lower in confidence.

It wasn’t long before CFY had let all of their hard work from the first half come undone as Gosport took the lead with a poked shot from the same pacy striker who had been left unattended to race clear of the defence before finding the back of the net.

Ford gradually improved but it was far from enough to pull themselves back into the game.

Sawbridge produced a fine save out of the goalkeeper from another of his long range free kicks, whilst Daryl continued to try and drive the team on leading by example – one of very few who can be pleased with their overall contribution.

Unfortunately no matter how hard Daryl worked, there is only so much an individual can do alone if he has no support from his teammates.

As the game wore on the match became a little heated and agitated with both sides paying for their indiscipline. Both teams were reduced to ten men as the referee did his best to maintain control over a very difficult encounter.

Gosport went on to wrap the game up with a third goal but again Ford only have themselves to blame for only putting the effort in for half of the game and not the full 70 minutes.

Jozef Montigue came close late on to grabbing a consolation goal with an instinctive shot from range, which so nearly caught out the keeper who recovered well from his poor drop kick.

Man of the match – Daryl Winter

FULL TIME: CFY 1-3 Gosport