WILLAND ROVERS 1 GOSPORT BOROUGH 3

Two goals in five minutes shortly before half-time and a third soon afterwards clinched Gosport Borough a place in FA Cup first round proper for the first time in their history.

Mike Carter and Matt Paterson scored the late first half goals and Steve Ramsey got the third before Willand got themselves a consolation.

Gosport bossed the opening period and were a little unlucky in the tenth minute when Carter’s shot was cleared off the Willand goal-line and then a Danny Smith shot looped just over the bar.

The Devonians offered little threat on the heavy silver-streaked surface, but missed a great chance when the hard-working James Blake burst through, but failed to get a meaningful shot away.

Gosport goalkeeper Nathan Ashmore dived low to his left to make a comfortable save.

Gosport’s opening goal came in the 36th minute after Dan Wooden worked the ball in from the left. He flipped a quick pass to Justin Bennett, who coolly set up MIKE CARTER to fire Gosport ahead.

Four minutes before half-time Gosport doubled their lead through former Saints man Matt Paterson. This time Carter was the creator and PATERSON calmly shot across the face of Willand keeper Curtis Parkin to make it 2-0 at half-time.

Gosport stretched their lead seven minutes into the second half with a third goal by Steve Ramsey.

Wooden swung in a corner from the left, Justin Bennett climbed to head against the underside of the bar and when the ball bounced out, RAMSEY was on hand to score.

Willand hotly disputed the goal, claiming goalkeeper Parkin had been fouled, but Bristol referee Simon Knapp waved away their protests.

But any thoughts Gosport had of this final qualifying round tie becoming a cruise were soon knocked back as LUKE ALDEN fired Willand back into the reckoning to make it 3-1.

Gosport never looked in any real danger of letting their lead slip, however, and would have added a fourth goal had Paterson not missed a sitter mid-way through the second half.

Willand’s disappointment was complete mid-way through the second half when Luke Durham was sent off.