Gwladys the Bull previews tonight's game:
Tonight sees Hereford take on Gosport Borough in a rearranged fixture following the postponement of the original game back in mid-January. That was in the middle of an incredibly unfortunate run of away matches and the cancellation of the game brought some welcome respite for Peter Beadle’s side. A scheduled pitch inspection for tonight's game was cancelled meaning that the match will go ahead.
This will be the first meeting between the two teams with both having contrasting fortunes in the league this season. The Bulls sit seven points clear at the top of the table while Gosport remain rooted to the bottom having only picked up 9 points (2 wins and 3 draws) since August. Goals – as well as points - have been hard to come by for the Hampshire side with them scoring just 23 - and conceding 110 - in their 34 league games thus far.
Following the agonising last-minute defeat at Kings Lynn in January, Hereford are back on a six match unbeaten run in the league with the Bulls having now kept five consecutive clean sheets. Peter Beadle will undoubtedly be pleased with the resilience his side have shown in recent weeks and the last league fixture saw an incredibly professional performance in brushing aside third placed Weymouth. The game against the Terras was comfortable in the main with Hereford in control of possession and able to create the main bulk of the chances. A stunning strike from Jennison Myrie-Williams on his debut - and another from Keyon Reffell - were enough for victory and capped off a satisfying day with both Kings Lynn and Kettering suffering narrow defeats.
Beadle will have an almost full strength squad to choose from following the postponement of the Hitchin game at the weekend and will be pleased with having some tough selection decisions to make. Billy Murphy made a late substitute appearance against Weymouth and supporters will be hoping that his presence will add additional competition for the central midfield places over the next few weeks; John Mills made a welcome return and could be restored to the starting line-up following his recent knee injury; James Bowen appeared to strengthen his case to be made the first choice left back following a solid performance and club stalwart Rob Purdie has grabbed his first team opportunity to prove that he still has plenty to offer at the ripe old age of 35.
It’s been a challenging season for Gosport, but it will undoubtedly be seen as one of transition for the club having secured its long-term future through a recent takeover deal led by former Portsmouth Chairman - Iain McInnes. McInnes spent 4 years at the ex-Premier League club and announced his departure only days after the club were crowned 2016/17 League 2 champions under now Wigan Athletic manager Paul Cook.
McInnes’ first act as chairman was to reappoint manager Alex Pike who had been instrumental in steering Gosport from the Wessex League to the National League South as well as the 2014 FA Trophy Final in front of 18,120 fans at Wembley against Cambridge United. Pike was originally sacked just a month into this current season, but within 15 weeks he found himself back in the Privett Park hotseat.
The Boro were only playing in the National League South as recently as last season, but with a not unfamiliar tale of huge financial problems taking its toll - including missed HMRC payments, board upheaval and delayed player wages - 2017 saw the side relegated to the Southern League Premier Division. Back to back relegations will be hard for supporters to accept, but with a new board at the helm and Pike back in charge, it will be hoped that the club can find the couple of wins they need to catch Dunstable Town who remain four points ahead in 23rd place.
New addition Charlie Ten-Grotenhuis will go straight into the side this evening after signing on loan from Bristol Rovers. Ten-Grotenhuis has signed for Gosport on a month's loan deal with the board hoping the towering midfielder can play a vital part in their relegation battle.
Bulls’ fans will undoubtedly wish them the best of luck, but not without gaining three more valuable points towards their own ambition of securing promotion to the National League regional divisions first. Victory would put the Bulls ten points ahead of Kings Lynn going into the game between the two sides at Edgar Street on Saturday.
Gosport Sat Nav: PO12 3SX