By Paul Cross

Gosport Borough 2’s 2 – Blandford & Sturminster Men 3

After a great win and other teams slipping up, Blandford were right back in the title race. Wins in their last three matches will guarantee promotion. First up, Gosport Borough 2s, who, despite sitting in the relegation zone, gave Blandford a real test in the reverse fixture.

Blandford began the game in dominant fashion, winning the ball high up the pitch and having several opportunities in the D. But, like the previous tie, Gosport keeper Steven Chalcraft kept Blandford at bay.

Despite their chances, Blandford were half a step off their usual pace and were punished by a Gosport breakaway in the 12^th minute.

Buoyed by their success, Gosport struck again ten minutes later, with Nathan Stockwell scoring from a short corner.

Set-back turned into disaster, as another Gosport breakaway was initially foiled, only for one of Gosport’s juniors to smash a wonder-strike into the roof of the net to make it 3-0 on 30 minutes.

Blandford, as they have so often this season, showed another level when faced with adversity.  Captain ‘King’ Matty Lewis, struck back immediately with a sweet short-corner strike to bring the score back to 3-1 at the break

The home team continued to apply pressure, but Gosport’s low block remained effective, helped by more a string of miraculous saves by Chalcraft.

Finally, with 10 minutes to go, a smash into the D from Matty Lewis was deflected into the roof of the net by Gaz Hardiman for his 25^th goal of the season. The last 10 minutes was an absolute barrage on the Gosport defence.  But Blandford never quite found the right key to unlock their opposition and the score ended 3-2 to Gosport.