YOUNG Gosport Borough striker John Wilson has been handed the perfect chance to play his way into the manager's good books.

With Lee Paul suspended this week and fellow frontman Neil Scammell launching into a seven-day ban on Monday, the stage is clear for the promising reserve team graduate to show his skills.

Wilson made an instant impression on Tuesday night, going on as a substitute against AFC Newbury and having the last word in Gosport's landslide 5-0 victory.

The youngster has hit 19 goals for Borough's table-topping second string this season and Pike said: "When I took over at Gosport I not only became manager of the first team, but manager of the club and it's my job to see that there's a natural progression from the youth and reserve teams through to the first team.

"You've got to give these lads the opportunity to play and, having served his apprenticeship in the reserves, John deserves his chance. Our reserve team manager Stuart Hensman rates him highly.

"We've got Lee Paul suspended again at Bournemouth Poppies tomorrow and Neil Scammell starts seven days on Monday, so John is going to be with us for the foreseeable future."

Although Pike was far from happy with last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Poole Town, he describes joining Borough as: "The best thing I've ever done in football."

The former Wimborne boss said: "I've been a manager since 1986 and this has given me a new lease of life. As an opposing manager I always knew that Gosport was a good club, but it was not until I got here that I realised how good."