City 2-3 Gosport Borough

[clive]

So, the sacking of Sam and the appointment of Ross failed to produce the new manager bounce.....

Instead all of the previous failings were evident. Missed chances galore, an inability to defend long balls and suspect goal-keeping. In truth it was a game that City should have won comfortably but even in the first half, which they dominanted, they still had a sloppy five minute spell when Gosport could easily got back on level terms.

Three goals in seven minutes early in the second half were enough to win the game for Gosport, all coming from balls through the middle. City were perhaps unlucky in that the second goal was probably offside, but the hapless linesman was in no position to give being 5 yards behind play. The third goal was a comedy, a huge mistake from Siddik, who never looked up to the task, and Mitchell should have done better.

Looking at the positives, Carbon was excellent in the first half, and took his goal well in the second. Chi brought much needed energy when he came on, and Drew added resilience. A back four of Drew, Burley, ANO and Chi would look to be a big improvement. However, I don't think any of Jones, Kpekawa or Siddik are good enough, and a commending keeper is desperately needed.

Next week is the minor matter of Scunthorpe away.

Attached is the usual detailed report for anyone interested

fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/09/oxford-city-2-3-gosport-borough-att-317.html

[ChrisB]

Thanks for the report Clive. 'Watching' from a distance via Whatsapp I'd hoped that a 1-0 HT lead might go on to produce a victory, but it would appear that the old failings reappeared in the second half and City will be left to 'concentrate on the league'!

The two previous meetings in the FAC were certainly a while ago. On 28/09/1985 City had a 2-1 home win, and on 21/08/1999 they ran out comfortable 5-1 winners at home (in front of a paltry 177 gate!).

[marks]

City played as though they'd won the game at half-time. They should have gone in more than 1-0 up, and were complacent at the restart. Gosport brought on a handful down the left wing and pulled Burley wide enabling them to lump the ball through the middle with their 8 and 9 having the beating of our rather static left-footed centre back pairing. The keeper should have done better for the third goal, but he's a kid and I wouldn't put too much blame on him. Unfortunately Cox's recruitment has left City with major defensive problems.

[Rijs]

Thank you again for the report, Clive, and the above from Marks is a fair analysis of the main reason for the defeat which came about in ten disastrous minutes early in the second half. But even then it wasn't over and when Jayden Carbon, our best (most competitive) player up to that point brought us back to 2-3 we still had twenty minutes to go (though the ref didn't add on enough time at the end - two long injury breaks plus the usual timewasting by the visitors, and he gave only five). A little more fight and inventiveness could have brought a goal, but it seemed only the subs Aaron Drewe and Chi Ezenolim believed. Ironically, the former set up the latter and he shot over. Too often the final pass was poor or the wrong option was taken. Credit to the Borough defence and keeper as well for making it as difficult as possible. Alfie Potter's post-match interview comments summed it up - we weren't good enough, we gave away goals and we need to work harder. I think you are right about complacency, and that is the most annoying thing, because to us fans a cup run is just the best thing, as well as giving the club the money to bring in the new players we need (a keeper, a strong leader in defence, and a new striker). To exit at this stage is not only gutting; it is a financial blow which makes it more difficult to escape relegation.

[Rijs]

Wealdstone away would have been an interesting fixture for the next round - even more so if Sam had still been with us! But Gosport wanted it more, so good luck to them.