Blandford & Sturminster v Gosport 22.11.25

Blandford vs Gosport Borough 2 (2-1)

On a wet and blustery day, Blandford set their sights on another 3 points and the opportunity to match their female counterparts at the top of their league. Today’s opponents, Gosport Borough 2s, despite languishing towards the bottom of the table, were fresh off a 4-0 win and weren’t to be underestimated. 

Blandford were on top in the early stages, playing direct and carving open the Gosport D with searching balls into the D. Theo Browning’s movement, Gaz Hardiman’s presence and Paul Cross’ surging runs linked to great effect. However, a combination of Blandford rustiness and quality goalkeeping from Gosport, kept them at bay.

Five minutes in and Blandford’s first big opportunity. A ball into Gaz Hardiman, an off the ball run from Paul Cross to draw the defence, a sweet strike, culminating in a magnificent save from the Gosport keeper.

Nine minutes in and this time the keeper wouldn’t deny Blandford their moment. A strong pass into the D from Matty Lewis found Gaz Hardiman in space. With time to control the ball, he waited for the Gosport keeper to charge off his line, before coolly lifting it over his head to sail into the net.

Blandford maintained the pressure, shutting down the centre of the pitch and restricting Gosport to nothing but half-chances. However, the half closed with a telling reminder that Blandford had to stay on their game, as the Gosport striker snuck in behind the Blandford defence. He was found by a pinpoint pass and only Clint Thrower’s heroics prevented Gosport from going into the break on level terms. 

Blandford initially maintained their dominance, but cracks were beginning to show. Gosport maintained their positive attitude and teamwork and this mentality was paying dividends. Blandford began to switch off and whenever they did so, Gosport would find the space in the D to threaten them.

As the game started to swing in Gosport’s favour, Blandford’s composure crumbled. Fifty minutes in and Blandford were finally punished, when Mike Higgins was left free in the D to finish.

Disgusted with what he was seeing, Lee Watkinson took himself off the pitch. However, as he left the pitch, his stick, clearly slippery from the wet conditions, vacated his hand and took a trip over the fence. A yellow card followed, forcing Captain Matty Lewis to sit. Finn, feeling sorry for Matty’s plight, joined him on the sidelines after one too many inopportune words towards the umpire. 

Clearly inspired by Blandford’s ill-discipline, Gosport responded in kind. With three players off the pitch between the 2 sides, the game opened up, with opportunities coming for both sides. Blandford opened up Gosport’s right-hand side and looked like they would retake the lead, when the umpires whistled for Blandford’s benched players to return. Game stopped and a glorious opportunity was stopped in it’s tracks.

Five minutes later, Blandford finally got the chance that their first half efforts deserved. Paul Cross released Finn down the right. A sharp one-two put Finn through on goal. A Gosport tackle fell to Paul Cross who fed a screaming Tom Tridgell at the top of the D. His effort slotted into the corner to put Blandford back in front. 

Gosport kept going and twice found space behind Blandford’s defence, but their efforts failed to get the results they deserved and the game finished 2-1 to Blandford.

Wins for both Blandford sides place both the Men and the Ladies at the top of their leagues and mean that Blandford and Sturminster Hockey remain the only club in Great Britain that have both their Men’s and Women’s sections unbeaten.

Man of the Match: Harry Munton – Carried his work-rate, movement and communication into the match.

DOD: Lee Watkinson – Even his stick couldn’t bear to be near him when he gets in a grump.