A Tale Of Two Boroughs - Gosport Borough vs. Nuneaton Town

Main stand at Privet Park

It was the second round of The FA Trophy last weekend and I caught the ferry from Portsmouth Harbour to Gosport for the tie between Gosport Borough and Nuneaton Town. Gosport are just outside the relegation zone in The Conference South division following a recent upturn form but things were still very tight at the bottom. Nuneaton were in the play offs of The National Division and there was therefore the potential for a cup shock. In the previous rounds Gosport had beaten fellow Conference South sides Dorchester and Concord Rangers while Nuneaton defeated Alfreton.

Just before kick off at Privet Park

Both teams make a very cagey start and the only action of note is a poor Gosport effort which goes well over the bar. The Nuneaton winger then gets to the byline and the Gosport defence are relieved to see the forward place his header straight at the keeper. The visitors then have another chance as the ball falls for the forward in the box but the chance is wasted. There is then a flurry of action in the Nuneaton area. Firstly, Gosport have a header cleared off line and the ball falls to the forward who appears to be tripped but the referee gives nothing. The Nuneaton keeper then has to be alert to save a close range effort. The Nuneaton winger gets in to another decent attacking position shortly afterwards but he fails to hit the target. Nuneaton then hit the bar with a long range lob over the Gosport keeper and he is spared by the cross bar. 

Further covered accommodation at Privet Park

The second half, like the first has a cagey start. Gosport create the first half chance with a cross from deep in to the box but the flick on is too strong for the man at the back post. Nuneaton then have their first half chance of the half as the ball is headed up in to the air from a corner and the defence is able to scramble the ball clear. The home team then have a long range effort which just curls wide of the goal. They then create an even better chance but the ball is put over from close to the penalty spot. Nuneaton then have a great chance as the Gosport keeper makes a good low save from a driven effort. Gosport have a similar chance shortly afterwards but the game ends goaless and the two sides meet again on Tuesday night.  

A Nuneaton breaks down in the first half.

Gosport is apparently the largest town in Britain without an operational railway station. The closest station is Portsmouth Harbour and from there is a two minute walk to Gosport Ferry. Trains to Portsmouth Harbour depart from Waterloo and the journey takes the best part of two hours. The ferry to Gosport only takes five minutes and are every fifteen minutes. From the ferry port the ground is about a forty five minute away. There are several bus routes which depart from the port to the ground. In the town centre is The Fox which is a brilliant hidden pub with a couple of ales and had Sky / BT sports. The clubhouse also had Sky Sports and served ales from the local Oakleaf Brewery. 

A good programme was produced for the game. Although for the umpteen time, I put mine on the bar in a puddle of beer. In the quiz they included a couple of questions relating to the visitors which I thought was a good touch.

Nuneaton push for a late winner.