Andover Town hit seven to book semi spot

The Portsmouth side defeated Southern League Moneyfields but once Andover opened their account there was little chance of a shock result in this match with Andover scoring all seven in a 22 minute spell either side of half time.

In the opening 20 minutes there was little to chose between the two sides.The visitors were first to have an effort on target whilst Andover’s best opportunity's fell to George Hallahan and Jason Silver before they finally started scoring with 25 minutes gone.

Reece Rusher set up Mike Gosney for the first and within a minute Silver fired in the second after a long unchallenged run.

Silver also claimed the third goal heading in from close range following Gosney’s astute corner.

Three minutes later, Rusher made space before firing in a volley that struck a post, but fortunately the ricochet came back to him and this time there was no mistake.

Two minutes before the interval Hallahan made it 5-0 following excellent interplay between Gosney and Silver and in time added at the end of the first half.

Ben Cook unselfishly set up Gosney for his second and the team's sixth by half-time During the interval the town faithful debated the possibility of a double figure score line.When just after the restart Silver scored the seventh to complete his hat trick that remained an option.

However, that proved to be Andover’s final goal of the evening as with important league games on the horizon they they took their foot off the accelerator.

The tempo of the match visibly dropped before Paulsgrove were award a penalty when Brendon Holmes was adjudged to handled the ball.

The decision looked harsh.

Luke Cairney saved but could not hold the spot kick and subsequent rebound, but when the ball came in for a third time there was little he could do to prevent the goal.

Andover face Fareham in the semi-final on Tuesday 20th February

This Saturday, Andover are on their travels to Hamble.