ANDOVER continued on their winning ways as they put four goals past Bemerton to move up to second in the Sydenhams Wessex League Premier.

Two changes were made to the Andover side that won away to Fareham Town at the weekend, as Chris Onoufriou and Suhael Odeh replaced Elliot Ward and James Jennings in the starting line-up.

Bemerton also named a strong side, with Joe Podomo starting in goal for the away team, as well as Jack Slade and Josh Hazell starting up front.

Neither team started off quickly, as they battled to try and take control of the game early on.

However, Andover were the first to go close through a Lewis Benson free kick which deflected off the wall, clipping the outside of the post before rolling out for a Town corner.

Minutes later, Liam Gilbert, making his home debut for Andover, fired a powerful shot from almost 30 yards, but his effort hit the crossbar before being cleared to safety.

However, despite Town’s best efforts, the scores remained level going into the half-time break.

Bemerton made a substitution to try and gain the upper hand, as Josh Hazell was replaced by George Plank.

Yet it was Andover who opened the scoring early into the second half, as Sam Pekun made a bursting run down the right flank before crossing to Suhael Odeh, who tapped the ball into the top corner.

Andover scored again quickly, when Pekun bagged a goal of his own as his tame shot dribbled into the bottom corner.

Pekun doubled his tally just three minutes later, when he pressured Bemerton defender Ryan Murray into losing the ball, allowing him to calmly place the ball past the onrushing Bemerton keeper and into the back of the net.

Andover made two substitutions to try and keep their strong lead, with Elliot Ward and Alex Dockree replacing Liam Gilbert and Lewis Benson in midfield.

The home side were then able to increase their lead to four soon after, as Pekun and Odeh combined once again, with the latter tapping the ball in to take his tally for the night to two.

Andover used their last substitution to replace Pekun with Oliver Yates, making a return to the Portway after a short spell with Andover Lions at the start of the season.

Bemerton pushed hard to reduce the deficit and in the second minute of stoppage time they grabbed a consolation goal as James Burden’s long shot was spilled by Town keeper Jamie Bray.

Yet it was far too late for a comeback and Town walked away deserved 4-1 winners on the night.

The result moves Andover Town above Salisbury and up in to second in the league, one point behind leaders Horndean who sit on 13 points.

Andover will face Wessex League Division 1 side New Milton in the Hampshire Senior Cup at the Portway on Tuesday night before they play Fawley in the FA Vase next Saturday.