10-man Gosport Borough exit FA Trophy after first-round defeat to Chichester City
Gosport Borough fell to a 2-0 defeat to Chichester City in the FA Trophy on Saturday.
Managerless Gosport Borough’s FA Trophy campaign came to an end in the first-round proper with a 2-0 defeat to Chichester City on Saturday.
Goals from Harry Bridle and Isaac Bello in either half were enough to see off Boro, who played just under an hour with 10 men after captain Dan Wooden was given his marching orders.
Storm Boelo battered the south coast, with Privett Park unable to escape the strong winds and rain causing havoc for both sides.
Gosport a chance to strike first when Wooden capitalised on a mix up at the back from Chichester, before the midfielder had an effort well saved by Max Evans between the sticks.
His effort was then quickly followed up by Jacob Gardiner-Smith, who curled a shot just wide of the mark.
As the contest ebbed and flowed, it was the Lilywhites who took the lead on 17 minutes, when Bridle rose highest to head the visitors into the lead.
And Miles Rutherford’s men could’ve doubled their advantage moments later, with keeper James Holden coming to the rescue for Gosport to produce a brilliant double save.
The cup tie then turned on its head just after the half-hour mark when Wooden was given his marching orders by referee Jack Bromham for a foul on Joe Moore.
As the rain continued to cause problems, Chichester were able to extend their lead two minutes into the second half.
A nightmare start after the break for Boro saw Bello able to break free and rounded keeper Holden to finish into an open net.
Rutherford’s side could’ve had a third on 63 minutes after a goal-mouth scramble but weren’t able to capitalise.
There was no way back for 10-man Gosport who have won two of their five matches under interim boss Rory Williams.
Head of Football Mick Catlin apologised for the defeat and said: ‘A disappointing display from the team today, we needed to be ahead in the first half with the conditions with us.
‘We went in at the break 1-0 down after a great corner routine undid us. Dan getting sent off made it a tough second half against the wind. Apologies to the fans’