ANDOVER Town returned to their winning ways on Saturday with a 5-1 thrashing of bottom side Verwood.

Liam Gilbert, Zach Glasspool, Shane Lock, Victor Gutierrez and Sam Pekun all scored for the Portway side, as they quickly bounced back from their injury time defeat to Bournemouth in mid-week.

Manager Glenn Burnett made two changes to his starting 11 to face Verwood, who began the day five points-a-drift at the bottom of the Wessex League Premier.

Liam Gilbert was brought back into the side after his three-match suspension, replacing Jordan Brackstone, while Carlo Santoro started over Pekun.

Andover started well and had the first real chance of thematch when Glasspool forced a good save from the visiting goalkeeper.

But it was Verwood who came closest to opening the scoring early on following a mistake from Town stopper Lloyd Thomas.

The goalkeeper was dispossessed in his own area, but did well to recoup the chipped effort before it crossed the line.

Andover began to assert their dominance mid-way through the first half and eventually broke the deadlock on 35 minutes.

Glasspool played a neat onetwo with Reece Rusher and then fired home to give Town the lead – his tenth goal of the season.

The visitors equalised seven minutes later when a free kick was only partially cleared and the ball fell to Liam Donachy, who hooked the ball home.

But Town ensured they held a 2-1 lead at the break when Shane Lock was put through and placed his shot across goal and into the bottom corner.

Andover almost doubled their lead after the break when Liam Gilbert headed goalbound, only for his effort to be cleared off the line.

But Town were not to be denied moments later when Gutierrez slammed home his first goal for the club.

Gilbert added Town’s fourth with a stunning drive from outside the box.

Pekun was introduced off the bench to make his 50th appearance for the club, just weeks after returning for a second spell. He marked the milestone in style with a goal, followed by his customary back flip celebration.

The 5-1 victory, Town’s biggest of the season so far, moved them up to tenth spot.

Andover host 19th placed Cowes Sports at the Portway on Saturday.