There is another crucial game in the Peacocks’ Southern League promotion push when they travel to Gosport Borough tomorrow afternoon (26th March), ko 3.00pm.
Only four weeks of the season remain with Town still very much in major contention for the title and elevation to the National League South. Before them though await seven very tough matches beginning with tomorrow’s trip to the south coast to take on a Borough side who still harbour hopes of clinching a place in the Play-Offs. They are currently lying in 8th place, four points adrift of 5th placed Weston-super-Mare, so ideally need a positive result against the Peacocks to keep them in with a shout. Recent form suggests a difficult afternoon at Privett Park, with Borough having lost just once in their last nine League outings, a 7-2 drubbing at Beaconsfield which is totally out of kilter with their other results including a 1-1 draw at leaders Hayes & Yeading, a 3-3 draw at Metropolitan Police and a 1-0 home win over Farnborough. The home side also have players back in contention, with their manager Shaun Gale saying:” It’s been a good week, we’ve trained well. Players who were out last week are back available. There’s a couple of people carrying knocks as there always is but we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
The midweek defeat against Royston Town in the 1st leg of the League Challenge Cup Final was only the Peacocks 2nd in 24 competitive matches since mid-November when they lost a League fixture at Weston, incidentally the last occasion that they had failed to score until Tuesday. That defeat was followed by a 2-1 home win over tomorrow’s opposition, an own goal giving Town the lead early in the second half which was cancelled out by Matt Paterson’s equaliser before Jared Lewington scored what proved to be the winner straight after. Joe Guest, Zac Smith, Toby Holmes, and Ben Adelsbury all come back in after being rested during the week while Will Buse returns in goal. Jake Wannell is also close to a comeback but Ross Stearn, however, is sadly out for the rest of the season after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the Royston game. Head of Football Rob Dray commented:” Gosport is a hard place to go against an experienced side and apart from their one blip they have had some very good results recently. They have a big incentive to beat us but we know what we have to do, the togetherness in the squad is fantastic and we are determined to get a result down there.”
On The Road – Gosport Borough
Ground: Privett Park, Privett Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 3SX
Ground to Ground: 111.2 miles
Directions: Leave the M27 at Junction 11 and follow the signs for Gosport A32. This dual carriage way will take you towards Fareham Town Centre. Eastern Way runs for around a mile and at all times clearly signposted A32 Gosport. As you approach the end of this (at a large roundabout) keep in the left lane and follow the filter lane round to the left under the railway viaduct. Keep in the left-hand lane for 0.75 miles. Just after the petrol station, the dual carriage way ends in a fork with the left-hand lane keeping you on the A32 towards Gosport. Continue following the A32 for three miles until you approach the next roundabout which is a tricky double roundabout. You will need to approach the first of these in the right-hand lane. Go straight across the first roundabout. Keep in the right-hand lane as you approach the second after 100 yards. At the second roundabout, take the 3rd exit signposted “HMS Sultan, Stokes Bay, Alverstoke & Privett Park”. Follow “Military Road” for 1.3 miles passing through HMS Sultan Naval Base before reaching another roundabout at the end. You will see the Cocked Hat pub on your left and a car dealership ahead of you. This is the “Cocked Hat” Roundabout. Turn left immediately taking the first exit onto Privett Road. After approximately 400 yards, take the 4th left into the Privett Park Stadium and it is clearly signposted “Gosport Borough Football Club.”
Admission: Adults £10, Concessions £7, Under 16’s Free