LINESMAN’S INJURY CUTS SHORT CONTEST
GOSPORT BOROUGH must face Hendon for a second time later this month after their relegation six-pointer was abandoned after 65 minutes at the AEI Stadium due to an injury to a linesman with the scores goalless.
The match went ahead after heavy rain and a pitch inspection earlier in the morning with a boggy surface awaiting both sides; Gosport starting on the front foot when Dan Wooden narrowly headed over an inch-perfect delivery from Harry Kavanagh on the right.
Hendon then had some posthe session but were unable to test the home defence despite an effort from Nico Muir-Merchant that drifted wide; both sides not registering a shot on target within the first 20 minutes as any good attacks seemed to break down at the final ball.
The half-hour passed without incident as Billie Busari saw his shot brush the side netting at a tight angle before the winger narrowly missed a crossfield pass from Charlie Wassmer when clean through; Noa Boutin also seeing a shot saved by Hendon keeper Aymen Azaze.
Control switched towards visitors before the interval as Tom Jackson forced a diving save from Patrick O’Flaherty, while Rohdell Gordon fired just over the crossbar on 43 minutes. A succession of corners were then cleared away as the half ended goalless.
The home side came out firing upon the restart as Busari sliced wide a pacey cross from Boutin down the wing before Harvey Rew was unlucky not to head home a delivery by Kavanagh on 50 minutes; frustration rising for Hendon when Muir-Merchant was booked.
But instead of boiling over they used it to their advantage and saw an opening goal ruled
out for offside when captain Joseph White nodded home; Daniel Matsuzaka going even closer in a legal attack as his effort from a corner was hacked off the line by debutant Maxwell Kinsey.
Proceedings were sadly stopped in and around the 65th minute when the linesman went down suddenly; seemingly injuring himself when turning on the slippery touchlines. Nobody was able to take over the role and the game was soon abandoned after discussions with both managers.
STAR MAN: Noa Boutin (Gosport) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★