Burnham 2 Lions 0.

JUST when Andover's long suffering band of optimists thought they had spotted light at the end of the tunnel, once again it turned out to be some bloke with a big torch.

Goals at either end of Tuesday's game at Burnham sent them home from the Gore empty handed where they could, and possibly should, have had at least a share of the points on offer. After an evening where every living Chav for a 20 mile radius appeared to converge on the ground there was some consolation at the end, as the walk through to the car park was accompanied by a haze of ganga. It was reminiscent of the bizarre Russell Cotes tie at Blackfield a couple of years ago and at least a few went home with a smile on their faces, although possibly not knowing why.

Lions lined up without the unwell Dean Cole and the unavailable Tas Roberts and were unchanged although the subs bench was a touch thin on the ground. The feel good factor after Saturday's win lasted less than three minutes as a cross from the left reached the lanky Leon Yardie and he found an unmarked Stuart McClelland who netted from close range.

Andover's first touch was the major drawback as so often the forward pass from 40 yards reaped no reward and Mike Turvey and Jamie Laidlaw were often isolated and it was the half hour before Bobby Swayne's lob was just touched in flight by keeper Emeka Aneka and Ryan Bird cleared off the line.

The talented but unpredictable keeper then blasted a clearance straight at Laidlaw and just won the foot race to recover as the ball headed towards the net. It was the nearest Lions got to a goal but as the temperature dropped they looked more potent after the break. Ben Buckland released Brynley McKie through the middle but his first touch also let him down then Joe Bye let rip from 25 yards but it was too high, just after Graham Lewis had tumbled in the Andover box but referee Gillett waved play on.

Jeff Brown curled a free-kick just wide around the hour mark and soon after Lions' boss Mick Catlin made a change when he introduced top scorer Kyke Swayne in place of McKie. They should have been level when Bye's free-kick found the unmarked Matt Davies but his point blank header was stright at Aneka and the chance was gone. Bobby Swayne had a dipping shot from wide out go just over before Adam Heath came on and the line up changed to three up and three back.

Yardie was denied by a superb save from Dave Hook who then kept out lively sub Daryl Jones and with ten minutes left the result could have gone either way. Heath was on the end of a fine move but his shot brought a fine save from Aneka and the rebound was cleared.

Inevitably Andover were stretched at the back and when Jones laid the ball square to Yardie with eight minutes left, his sweet finish gave Hook no chance. It could have been three but Hook kept out Lewis late on but by then the points had gone and the Chav count was into three figures.

Team: Hook, Martin, Buckland, Damen, Elias, Davies, McKie, B Swayne, Turvey, Laidlaw, Bye.

Subs: K Swayne, May, Heath, Andrews.

12:03pm Wednesday 19th March 2008

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