Perfect start as Lions take six from six

3:36am Thursday 21st August 2008

Taunton Town 1 Andover 2.

Goals from Michael Turvey and PaulJones inside the first 25 minutes gave Lions a fine 2-1 win at Wordsworth Drive on Wednesday night and a place at the giddy heights of joint top of the table with AFC Totton.

Mick Catlin's newly-built side were too strong for a gallant but outclassed Taunton Town on a pitch which looked as if it had not been touched for weeks. Ankle deep grass meant a slick passing game was all but impossible and with the weed strewn terraces giving the place a sad outlook some were suggesting the game should have been refereed by Sir Richard Attenborough.

Lions were still without Neil Champion and Dean Stow but nevertheless travelled with a strong squad and within minutes Kyle Swayne had driven over from 20 yards. The respite for the home side was short as from the goal-kick Turvey picked up a loose ball and charged through the undergrowth to drill a shot past Simon Cooper.

Taunton responded well and Alex Pounde's cross shot was flicked goal wards by former Tiverton man Lee Groves but Dave Hook was not troubled. However minutes later he was helpless as Charlie Welch as given too much room on the left and his cross found Pounde a yard out and he could not miss.

The game flowed better than it should have done on the lush pitch and after Turvey had again driven over Stuart Gates went on a determined run through a static defence and was only denied a sensational goal by Cooper's save. Last season's two league games brought a total of 16 goals and when Turvey's long cross was tucked away from close range by Paul Jones just short of the half hour mark, another goal glut looked on the cards. Home defender Lee Bridson had a shot blocked as Taunton had a good spell just before the break but with the defence looking solid Lions were always good value for their lead.

Within seconds of the restart hard-working Steve Boston had gathered in a poor clearance and moved forward but lost control at the vital moment then Jamie Barron had a shot blocked following a corner as Lions went for the kill. Alex Ward was enjoying his game far more than Saturday and he and Kyle Swayne both went close as Andover completely dominated the second half hour.

Taunton had no answer to Gates speed and ball control and after he got to the byline and found Boston the lanky striker was just wide with his strike.

Owen Elias then got up field to try his luck and finding a less verdant area on the left, exchanged passes with Boston but was just wide with an effort which would have graced any game. Taunton were not lying down but were forced to defend in depth and Kyle Swayne's effort from 12 yards brought a spectacular save from Cooper before manager Catlin decided on a change with 20 minutes left.

Boston made way for Vinnie Rusher who, as he stepped on the pitch, completed his 350th appearance for the club and should have scored with his first touch as Ward's cross found his head but Cooper saved again.

Taunton could well have levelled soon after as well travelled ex-Arsenal man Matt Rawlins was given too much room to move forward but Dave Hook rescued the Lions with a stunning save, the rebound falling to Welch who was just crowded out.

Welch then brought a sprawling save from Hook late on after Gates had given way to McKie but after seven minutes added time and a quick inventory in case any of the squad had been lost in the jungle, Lions were home and dry and joint top of the embryonic South and West Division.

With Gosport boss Alex Pike in the crowd along with a Bridgwater contingent, word will already have got around that Andover will be no pushovers this season Hook, Connolly, Williams, Jones, Elias, K Swayne, Barron, Ward, Boston, Gates, Turvey. Subs: Rusher, B Swayne, McKie, Martin, Buckland

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