It was a case of saving the best to last for Andover Lions as they ended the season with their best performance and a fine 4-2 victory over Cadnam in Division One of the Hampshire League.

It has been a difficult season for the Lions who set off in August with title aspirations only to see a host of players move on to pastures new to leave the team struggling through the winter months. But a recent resurgence of form has seen them take nine points from the last 12 and an air of optimism now hangs over the camp as they are already making plans for the next campaign.

Saturday’s trip to Cadnam was anything but a typical end of season game as the home side needed three points to climb from fifthh to a creditable third in their first season in the league and Lions were in no mood to roll over and were looking to end their campaign in style. Lions however took the lead on 19 minutes when the lively Ben Morris was picked out with a fine through ball and the young forward calmly lobbed the oncoming keeper for his first goal in a Lions’ shirt.

The lead was very short lived though as almost immediately from the break Tatavossian cut in from the left and drove the ball past Baxter to level. Gilbert shot wide before Baxter made the save of the match from a free-kick then Tatavossian put the rebound wide when well placed.

Early in the second half Dan Reynolds dragged his shot wide but on 66 minutes the striker made no mistake when being set clear in similar style and The Lions went ahead for the second time. Sam Cook and Baxter were both having their work cut out keeping the home team at bay but at the midpoint of the second half Cook was shown the red card for a challenge on Morse and tempers flared in the aftermath and Monk was booked for the home team. What looked to be a massive uphill task for Andover soon became dreamland as first Lewis walked through a static defence to slot the third and then three minutes from time Reynolds added the fourth as a shell shocked Cadnam could not believe what was happening. Hobbs did claw back a late consolation for but the game was all about the Lions and the spirit they showed in claiming an excellent three points.

Club spokesman Chris Paris was naturally delighted after the match. “That was probably our best performance of the season and certainly the most satisfying. We didn’t want the season to end on a flat note and the spirit today was incredible. To go on and score two more goals when down to ten men took real commitment and there were some first class performances out there today. The young players like Baxter, Cook and Morris are finding their feet now in this league and next season they should improve even more. We have plans to improve the club during the summer and TVBC are doing everything they can for us to accommodate this. It’s been a very tough season but we end it on a high and with great optimism for the coming months.”