Hatters hit five past Gosport

The visitors named a strong side for the encounter, as Craig Mackail-Smith started once more, while trialist goalkeeper Deniz Mehmet took his place between the posts.

It wasn’t long before the deadlock was broken either, with Mackail-Smith and Cameron McGeeham combining for Danny Green to rifle home a delightful strike from 25 yards.

Gosport came close to equalising almost immediately, but 15 minutes later it was 2-0 when Green’s pinpoint cross was converted by a powerful Josh McQuoid header.

McGeehan was denied by home keeper Nathan Ashmore, before Gosport pulled a goal back immediately after the break through Ben Harding.

However, Town went down the other end to increase their lead as Green’s free-kick struck a hand in the penalty area and McGeehan drilled home the resulting penalty.

Paddy McCourt’s shot drew a good stop from Ashmore, but back came Gosport and the home side reduced the Town’s lead once more when Justin Bennett netted from the penalty spot after Stephen McNulty was adjudged to have handled.

Chances then fell at either end, although it was Hatters who made the most of their opportunities, McCourt slipping McQuoid through and he produced a low finish.

Late on, it was 5-2 as substitute Zane Banton turned in the box to fire home.

Hatters: Deniz Mehmet, Scott Cuthbert, Dan Potts (Mark Onyemah), Steve McNulty, Luke Wilkinson (Stephen O’Donnell), Danny Green (Isaac Galliford), Cameron McGeehan, Nathan Doyle (Luke Trotman), Paddy McCourt, Craig Mackail-Smith (Zane Banton), Josh McQuoid.