The game began evenly, with both sides showing plenty of energy but struggling to fashion any clear-cut openings. Gosport enjoyed more possession in the early stages, pressing forward and creating a couple of half-chances, one effort finding only the side netting.
On the half-hour mark Gosport thought they had taken the lead when Murray found space inside the box, only to be denied by a superb reflex save from Hawks goalkeeper Edwards. From the resulting corner, the Hawks’ defence was called into action again, scrambling the ball off the line to keep the score level.
Just as it looked as though the sides would go in at the interval all square, Gosport found the breakthrough. On the stroke of half-time, Taylor rose highest at the back post to meet a cross and planted his header beyond Edwards to put the visitors 1–0 up at the break.
HALF TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 0-1 GOSPORT BOROUGH
The second half began in the worst possible way for the Young Hawks, as Gosport doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute with a clinical finish.
The game then entered a quieter spell, with both sides cancelling each other out and few chances of note in the middle stages of the half.
The Hawks nearly found a way back into the tie when Reavley latched onto a ball in behind. His effort beat the advancing keeper, but a covering Gosport defender raced back to hook the ball clear and preserve the visitors’ clean sheet.
Despite Havant’s late push, Gosport managed the game well and saw out the remaining minutes to secure their place in the next round of the competition.
FULL TIME: HAVANT AND WATERLOOVILLE 0-2 GOSPORT BOROUGH
Havant and Waterlooville: Edwards (GK), Duffy, Barnes (Brown 76’), Denham, Larder, Wilson (Gawrowski 62’), Jordan, Yates, Gordon (Forrest 67’), Brewer, Reavley (Wood 90’)
Unused Subs: Harrison-Smith (GK), Murphy-Boyd, Furlong
Gosport Borough: Batten (GK), Taylor, Zotsch, Handley, Grundy, Dilworth, Murray (Harbour 76’), Beeson (Bosworth 69’), Hilton (Gray 81’), Scott, Miller
Unused Subs: Laver, Ford, Pinhorne, Pilgrim
Cautions: Scott 78’
Goals: Taylor 45’, Murray 52’