CHARLIE Gunson scored on his first appearance since returning to Andover Town, during a 4-1 Sydenhams League Cup win over Hythe and Dibden on Wednesday night.

The England Schoolboys star, who signed for National League South side Gosport Borough this summer, netted Town’s opening goal in his first appearance since duel-registering with the Portway club earlier this week.

The forward struck in the 20th minute at the Clayfields to give Town a 1-0 lead against their Wessex League Division One opponents.

New signing Javier Santini doubled Andover’s lead seven minutes later, with his first goal for the club.

Rudy Plummer then struck twice in 10 minutes to give Town a comfortable 4-0 lead at half time.

Manager Glenn Burnett made changes midway through the second half with Shane Lock replacing Gunson and Sparsholt youngster Louis-Rae Bailey replacing the injured McAulie Stubbs.

However it was the hosts who struck the final goal of the game, a delicate chip from the corner of the box over the head of goalkeeper Jamie Bray.

The result follows on from Town's fifth defeat in seven league games last Saturday when they were beaten 3-1 by unbeaten Wessex Premier leaders Blackfield and Langley.

The Portway side, who are now second from bottom in the league, initially took the lead through Shane Lock, writes Patrick Barlow.

However a first-half brace from Jamie White and a goal from Liam Robinson helped the visitors to victory and maintain their 100 per cent league record.

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(Andover Town's Shane Lock)

After Town’s midweek win against Bournemouth Poppies, new boss Glenn Burnett introduced changes with Rudi Plummer moving off the wing into the striker’s role after an impressive display in the Hampshire Senior Cup.

Adam Grange regained his place on the wing while Burnett also started new signing Javier Santafe, who took up his role in holding midfield.

Blackfield and Langley looked to keep their impressive record of having won all of their league games so far this season, and prolific scorer White kept his place in the team.

Robinson started in midfield for the Watersiders.

Ex-Whitchurch goalkeeper Brad Snelling also started, while Sam Poole captained the side.

Andover and Blackfield fought closely for possession at the start of the game, but it was Town who got the first breakthrough.

A clever pass from a free kick by Liam Gilbert fell to Lock, who took ball at the six-yard box, and his low shot scrambled past Snelling at the near post to put Andover in the lead.

It didn’t take long for Blackfield to equalize, as only 10 minutes later Robinson was put through on goal.

After a brilliant reflex save by Jamie Bray, the ball fell to White, who was able to tap home from short range to even the score.

Despite Andover making a few brilliant chances it was Blackfield who took the lead shortly before the break.

A cross along the floor by Robinson was flicked on by John Cole to White, who slotted in from the middle of the penalty area, taking his total this season to 20 goals in seven games.

Andover went further behind within a minute of the start of the second half.

Carl Preston burst down the left wing before crossing to Robinson on the goal line.

The midfielder was able to poke the ball past Bray to double Blackfield’s lead and all but end Town’s hopes of a shock win.

Andover did well to try and fight back, and came close midway through the half when Lock was on the end of a great passage of play by Town. However, he couldn’t beat Snelling, who was able to stop his shot from close range and deny Lock his second goal of the game.

Town came close to a brace of goals in the dying minutes of the game after a flurry of good chances.

The closest of which was a curling free kick by new signing Santafe, which was able to trouble the Blackfield defence, but was stopped by the woodwork.

The result leaves Andover in 21st in the Wessex Premier.