GOSPORT BOROUGH | SOLID SUCCESS

It was a key win for the Premier South play-off hopefuls at the weekend

Gosport Borough held their nerve to secure a big win on Saturday and keep their play-off ambitions alive.

A goal in first half stoppage time from Brad Tarbuck proved to be the difference against high-flying Poole Town.

“We were probably the most solid I’ve seen us all season,” Tarbuck told us. “This has been coming over the past few weeks; it was an excellent all-round performance with everyone playing their part.

“The fact that I scored what proved to be the decisive goal makes it feel so much sweeter for me, but the main thing was that we picked up the three points to stay in touch with the top five.

“I’d say that it’s been a roller-coaster season for us so far. Finding consistency has been our biggest downfall, but to find ourselves still in contention for the play-offs at the end of March gives us something to really push for.

“I’ve always said it’s how you end and the last few games have been positive, so there are some good signs as we go into the final stretch.

“It’s what they call the ‘business end’ of the season now where every point matters. It’s going to be a tight finish in the race to make the play-offs and I am looking forward to being part of it.

“Having played in this League for a while, this is definitely the strongest that I have ever seen it. There are so many good players involved and I’m sure that it will only get even more competitive.

“As far as we are concerned, the aim is to finish as high up the table as we can, whether that’s in the play-off places or not.

“Recent games have seen us prove what we are about and that we can compete against anyone at this level. It gives us the confidence going forward as we look for a positive end to the season.

“Personally I just want to finish the season healthy and to be able to help the team finish as high as possible.”

Sitting just three points off the top five, Tarbuck and his team-mates face a trip to a Berkhamsted outfit who are level with them on 57 points at the weekend.

"Every game becomes more important than the last at this stage of the season," he added. "It's another big game for both clubs; we'll be looking to take the confidence gained from Saturday's win into it and see what happens."

IMAGE: Jack Appleby

Gosport Borough Web Site