SHOLING always knew that FA Vase hero Mike Carter had the potential to cut it at Conference South level – and they weren’t wrong.

The midfielder made such an impact for Gosport Borough last season that he has been rewarded with a new two-year deal at Privett Park.

After winning the FA Vase/Sydenhams Wessex double with Sholing last spring, Carter has taken the three-step rise in levels confidently in his stride.

His commanding performances in the centre of the park for Gosport saw him narrowly beaten to the supporters’ player-of-the-year award after a fine debut season.

Manager Alex Pike said: “I am really happy to agree a new deal with Mike.

“He was certainly one of our most successful signings last year and, in my opinion, one of the best central midfielders in the league.

“He was one of the bedrocks we built our successes on and now we will continue to build.”

With just 40 goals conceded, Borough boasted the division’s strongest defence last term on their way to a fine sixth-placed finish.

But Pike has been quick out of the blocks to strengthen his rearguard, signing Ryan Woodford from neighbours Havant & Waterlooville and Adam Brice from relegated Farnborough.

Woodford joined Havant in 2009 following his release from Portsmouth and, after initial injury problems, became a regular fixture in the Hawks squad, clocking up over 100 appearances.

But the form of Brian Dutton and Ed Harris made first-team opportunities hard to come by and he went out on loan to Bognor Regis towards the end of last term.

Centre-back Brice spent his formative years at Aldershot Town before moving on to Woking where he was manager’s player-of-the-year in 2013/14. He joined Farnborough last August.

Excited by Woodford’s capture from Havant, Pike said: “Ryan is just what we want at Gosport. He’s young, hungry and up for the challenge. With his wealth of experience at this level and his age, he fits the mould at Privett Park.”