Match Preview: Tiverton Town V Gosport Borough in the FA Trophy
If someone had told supporters of the club that they would win two rounds of both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy during this season, then I’m almost certain that not only would that have been an extremely exciting thought, but also a scarcely believable one, given our fortunes in each of those competitions in the last decade.
However, it will be overlooked by some that because we have entered the competition at an earlier stage this season, that during the 2021/22 campaign Martyn Rogers Yellows’ entered the FA Trophy at the third qualifying stage and won against Swindon Supermarine, going on to then defeat Bracknell away in the First Round proper.
That said, after four consecutive opening round defeats prior to this year’s FA Trophy competition, the side’s achievements should be commended. An opportunity presents itself though, to go at least one stage further.
The 5-1 win in the St Lukes Bowl, saw us find some goal scoring form, with Aiden Horne leading the way with three goals and hopefully this should be a positive when the side takes to the field on Saturday.
Two league losses and an underwhelming Pre-Season, saw an early end to Gosport’s initial appointment for the 2026/27 season Simon Lane, but interim manager Jermaine McGlashan has now been installed as Borough’s permanent manager after a series of impressive results.
Mid table in the league above, they have recently beaten our arch rivals Taunton, though also fell victim to Plymouth Parkway who have made a strong start to their campaign, in the FA Cup. Our FA Cup conquerors Sholing also registered a narrow home win against Saturday’s opponents, at the end of August.
There are no replays in the FA Trophy and there isn’t any extra time either, so should the teams be level after 90 minutes, the game will go straight to a penalty shoot out.
Manager McGlashan enjoyed a very good EFL career, but actually began his senior career as a non league footballer and whilst with Merstham he was scouted by Aldershot. The versatile forward who could play across the frontline or as an attacking midfielder played 309 EFL games in total for the Shots, Cheltenham, Gillingham, Southend and Swindon.
There have been many upheavals to the squad recently with six player departures, but with new arrivals coming in too. Vastly experienced and gifted attacking midfielder Mauro Vilhete has joined from National League South side Hemel Hempstead.
The 32 year old Portuguese born, San Tome and Principe International, played well in excess of 200 games for Barnet and 119 of those came in League Two. Other clubs he has represented include; Dagenham & Redbridge, Southend, Boreham Wood, Hampton and Richmond and Hornchurch.
Strong running and powerful midfielder Issac Brown is another new face. He has joined from Ascot United. Standing at 6ft 3, Brown has also spent time at Hampton & Richmond, Horsham and Westfield. At 19 he has a promising future ahead of him and is a technical talent.
Defender Jordan Stepney is another new arrival. A few games into a second stint with Boro, the 29 year old is a defender in demand at the level where he is plying his trade. A former Farnham and Uxbridge player, he began the campaign with Bracknell, having had a short spell with Boro last term.
An understudy at both Reading and Cambridge United, 25 year old keeper James Holden is the visitors new number one. He arrived at the start of the month and has made an immediate impact. Holden has also lent his talents to; Maidenhead, Hampton & Richmond, Averley, Hemel Hempstead and Billericay.
After a spell away from the game re-signed winger Trevor Caborn made a goalscoring return at Taunton. The cultured forward first caught the eye playing for Winchester, where he was a focal point and can be an explosive player.
There was a strong core of players already at the club beforehand, including the likes of; veteran midfielder/ forward Dan Wooden, the enigmatic, but unquestionably talented forward Michael Fernandez, Box-to- Box midfielder Jordan N’galo, creative midfielder Jacob Gardiner-Smith and attacking full backs Kris Campbell and Jerry Wiltshire.
Dan Wooden has been a great servant to Boro and is an inspirational talisman. The 36 year old is a very good footballer, who has spent thirteen seasons at Borough over two spells. A goalscorer, but also a creative source too.
Michael Fernandes once scored a hat-trick against us for Swindon Supermarine and on his day is a dangerous, match winning, quick footed Forward. A young pro at Colchester United, the ex Farnborough man’s CV includes non league stints at; Hayes & Yeading, Hungerford and Salisbury.
Hot property at Dorchester, Jordan N’galo move to Salisbury didn’t quite work out, but his strong, driving performances for the Magpies, complimenting good technical ability as well, often made the difference for them. His acquisition last term seemed like a no brainer for his new club.
Midfielder Jacob Gardiner Smith is an inventive player whose formative footballing years were a little different. Son of a politician, he is a product of two prominent Russian side’s youth academies; CSKA Moscow and Zenit Saint Petersburg. The 29 year old also made three professional appearances for Wycombe Wanderers.
Gardiner- Smith has played for a host of clubs at step three and has been higher up the pyramid with the likes of Braintree and Hemel Hempstead.
Kris Campbell was with Poole last season and was a real fan favourite. The skilful attacking full back has a real sense of adventure that has made him popular on his travels. His other destinations include; Eastbourne Borough, Welling, Tonbridge Angels, Dartford, Hampton & Richmond and a previous spell at Gosport.
Fellow full back Jerry Wiltshire who can also play centrally, should also be identified as a goal threat, as he has found the net three times in Boro’s five league games. Wiltshire has pedigree.
Sixteen full international appearances for the British Virgin Islands and a QPR academy product, he played in the USA early on in his senior career.
Following that football scholarship he returned to England and played 15 times for National League side Maidenhead. The 30 Year old has gone on to wear the colours of; Walton Casuals, Hayes & Yeading and Hampton and Richmond. The cultured defender was with Chertsey in the previous campaign.
This is proper knockout football on Saturday and despite regular first teamers Ed Palmer(suspended) and Mason Winter(prior engagement) being unavailable, if we can summon up the spirit and belief that has served us well in our cup exploits so far, we will have a fair chance.
A few were rested on Tuesday evening against Ilfracombe and others put themselves in the frame in that game and made strong cases for starts in this FA Trophy game. So let’s make ourselves the twelfth man and get behind the lads.
