Bowers hails Gosney as best keeper in league

After a goalless first half, the points were sealed on 57 minutes when ex-Andover and Gosport man Turvey was allowed to run with the ball across the penalty area before firing home.

But, had it not been for Gosney’s heroics, Follands boss Danny Bowers admits his side would have been staring at a three-goal deficit by half-time.

With the game just two minutes old Port midfielder Iain Seabrook slipped a pass through to Matt Evans, whose shot was well blocked by Gosney, pictured below, one-on-one.

That set the tone of the half with GC Giancovich also denied as Gosney’s outstretched arm pushed away his attempted lob and, on 23 minutes, Evans again came off second best to the Planemakers’ on-song ’keeper.

“It was a great result and a massive three points for us,” said Bowers. “Conditions weren’t the best and, but for Gos, we could have been two or three down by half-time.

“After that I always felt it was going to be a 1-0 game and it was a fantastic goal by Mike Turvey that won it.

“He’s popped up on the left and beaten six players on his way from one side of the box to the other before smashing it past the keeper.

“We had a lot of pressure in the second half, but Gos has made another couple of great saves (from Tom Scovell and Seabrook) and he was definitely our man-of-the-match.

“I think he’s the best goalkeeper in this league. Some ’keepers are fantastic shot-stoppers and some are great at kicking, but Gos has got everything and he’s just so calm.”

Bowers added: “We didn’t exactly deserve to win the game, but we didn’t deserve to lose. It was just reward after we’d conceded two late goals and had Monkey (James Roden) sent off when Newport won 3-2 at our place.”

If the rain holds off, Follands face a trip to Moneyfields tonight. Forward Ryan Long returns having missed Saturday’s game, but centre-back Jimmy Vinton could be out another month with knee damage.