Gosport Saturday

[ironmansimon]

Looking forward to this little challenge against last years finalists. Just finalizing a possible group of us for a road trip.
A little warning to anyone else travelling down. The M3 is 50mph roadworks for at least the first 20 miles. I did it ok today but listen out for any major delays on there, would not take much in those small contra flows. Safe journey to anyone else travelling. COYI

[Iron Webbo]

IRON SWITCH ATTENTION TO THE TROPHY
Third Trophy trip to Gosport in seven years
After an encouraging Christmas and New Year haul of twelve Vanarama Conference points, Iron can now switch their attention to the FA Trophy and Alan Devonshire's squad face a daunting trip to last season's beaten finalists - Gosport Borough - on Saturday. The Hampshire club were beaten by (now) Football League side Cambridge United at Wembley, with the game attracting an 18,000 crowd. It was the latest step in a seven year journey that has seen Gosport rise from the Wessex League at step 5 as recently as 2007, through the Southern League's two tiers to within touching distance of non-League's top flight.
Last season had seen the Privett Park club languishing at the foot of the Conference South table before Christmas, but the Trophy run coincided with improvement in league form to a mid-table finish and Gosport have continued that improved form this season. A fine run of results in the run up to Christmas saw Gosport as high as third in the Vanarama South table. Although they have lost just six of their 34 games so far this season, recent form has been less consistent, but Borough still currently sit just two points outside the Vanarama South play-off places, in eighth place, with a couple of games in hand over three of the four sides immediately above them. Last Saturday saw them travel to St. Albans City and return home beaten by the odd goal in three. The game also saw Borough finish with just nine players on the pitch after both defenders Lee Molyneaux and Mike Carter were dismissed.
Gosport's progress this season has not gone unnoticed, with League One side Swindon Town reported to be in negotiations over the possible transfer of striker Matt Paterson - who signed for Borough in the summer from Aldershot Town. The 25-year-old former Southampton striker has scored 17 goals this season and his partnership with 25-goal striking partner Justin Bennett has been a key reason behind the club's success this term. That said, Gosport manager Alex Pike has stated that he would not stand in a player's way if they are offered a route into the pro ranks.
We've met in the FA Trophy before. Back in November 2007, goals from James Hawes, Robbie Martin and two from Chris Sullivan saw Iron win a FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round tie 4-1 at Privett Park. Four years later in December 2011, the FA Trophy again paired the clubs in Hampshire with Dean Wells scoring the only goal of the First Round tie.
For those making their own way to the game on Saturday, the address and telephone details are as follows: Gosport Borough FC, Privett Park, Privett Road, Gosport, Hampshire PO12 3SX. Tel: [phone].

Gosport's latest game at St. Albans on Sunday.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzfcPmVAjIg

[ironhorse]

For those travelling you may find that going via the bridge and then the A3 would be an easier route, the route into Gosport is closer to Portsmouth than Southampton. But it depends how much of the M25 you want to go around and there are no road works on the M25 clockwise or the A3.