Lions fight back for point (From Andover Advertiser)

Lions fight back for point

11:34pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010

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Taunton Town 2 Andover 2.

Mark Hinton Roofing sponsored Lions travelled to Taunton on Saturday to meet a side who had not won a game since August, but who appeared up for the game and dominated the first half before scoring twice in the opening minutes of the second half to take what appeared to be an unassailable lead.

At that point the spirit which had been so obvious in the last two outings resurfaced with goals from Danny Urry and Tom Melledew earning a point and a chance missed near the end that could have led to all three.

Andover welcomed back Tom Gooding, Robbie Sadler and Tommy Langfrey, all of whom had missed the midweek trip to Paulton, but immediately found themselves on the back foot as Taunton pressed forward with Dave Hook claiming a cross from Darren Rice and Rodney Marsh sending a free header over the bar, before they looked to have taken the lead with just under a quarter of an hour played. Full-back Luke Cole hoisted a free-kick into the box and Rice rose highest to head the ball past Hook only for the goal to be disallowed.

Bobby Swayne collected a caution for a challenge after the ball had been given away in midfield and with Taunton continually spreading the play through their two wide men the game was largely confined to the visitors’ half. Andover's first real attempt came when Lee Burch’s shot was saved by Lloyd Irish before a quick home break was foiled by Hook closing down the advancing Marsh.

Urry sent a header wide before the half ended with Hook saving a John Harris shot at the second attempt.

Taunton took less than 60 seconds to take the lead after the break as Marsh was left free at the far post to head a right wing cross powerfully past Hook. A Tom Melledew free-kick passed untouched across the penalty area but when the home side were awarded a free-kick in a similar position Alexis Piper turned the ball past Hook after a lengthy goalmouth scramble to double their advantage.

Hook blocked a close range shot from Craig Veal and the Lions introduced Phil Andrews in place of Burch and as they finally forced a foothold in the game Melledew saw one shot blocked and another juggled round the post by Irish. Rice reminded all of the home danger with a wasted cross before the Lions pulled a goal back 20 minutes into the half.

The impressive Matthew Scott played the ball over the top of an advancing defence and Urry’s pace and cool finish did the rest. Luke Soulby joined the fray as manager Leader increased the attacking options and the Lions claimed the equaliser just six minutes after their first goal as the home defence failed to fully clear a free-kick and Melledew fired the loose ball home from 20 yards.

Both sides went for the winner with Hook saving well from James Clough and Raiff Gwinnett while Sadler saw a shot blocked. Hook produced the best save of the match, turning aside a Harris shot he saw very late, before the Lions had the best chance to take all three points as Langfrey burst free but Irish spread himself well and the chance was gone.

Both sides will probably be happy with a point in what ultimately was a fair result but Leader was at a loss to explain the performance in the opening half before being pleased with the commitment and effort that gained a point in the second 45 minutes.

Hook, Scott, Sangha, Bobby Swayne, Keogh, Langfrey, Melledew, Sadler, Gooding, Burch, Urry.

Subs, Darnton, Campbell, Massey, Andrews, Soulby.

Lions played Totton and Eling in the Russell Cotes Cup on Thursday night. Report next week.

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