Gosport Borough start season with victory over Taunton Town
Manager Lee Molyneaux enjoyed a winning start as Gosport Borough beat Taunton Town 3-0 at Privett Park in the Southern League premier south.
Theo Lewis gave Borough an early lead before the visitors were reduced to 10 men just after the hour mark.
Further goals from George Barker and Marley Ridge confirmed the win.
Borough made a dream start by taking the lead after just four minutes through birthday boy Lewis.
Rory Williams burst between two defenders and his low cross picked out Sam Argent, who cleverly back-heeled the ball, with the unmarked Lewis easily thumping the ball home from six yards.
On 14 minutes Williams sent a rising drive over the crossbar from a free-kick just outside the area.
It was tricky for both teams in the blustery, gale-force wind.
Williams was causing Taunton lots of problems with his quick raids down the left.
Borough looked solid at the back and home goalkeeper Pat O'Flaherty didn't have a save to make in the first half.
The visitors looked to have picked their tempo up and for the first time put Gosport under some pressure.
O'Flaherty did excellently to leave his line and punch the ball away from the feet of an onrushing attacker.
Borough broke away and when Barker was pulled back, the visitors had Ollie Chamberlain sent off for a second bookable offence.
A superb 66th-minute move involving Williams and Argent ended with Barker extending the lead.
Substitute Ridge sealed the win with a well-taken goal in the last minute.
- KEVIN RICKETTS