ANDOVER New Street suffered a 5-2 defeat to promotion chasing Tadley Calleva on Saturday at the Stockbridge Recreation Ground.

Street, who were unable to play at Foxcette Park due to a junior tournament, conceded within just two minutes as Tadley captain and former Andover FC winger Mario Nurse sent a ball down the left wing and James Tennant’s cross was met by Brett Denham.

Josh Aspinall hooked a shot wide then Harvey Redstone dispossessed Nurse on the edge of the area but could only fire over. The home side so nearly equalised on 22 minutes, when from a corner, the ball came out to Shane Lock and his driven shot came back off the underside of the bar.

Tadley’s strike duo of Grant Powell and Denham both had chances, before Tom Hindmarsh produced a nice save to deny New Street captain John Robb at the back post.

In a very entertaining clash, Tadley doubled their lead on 37 minutes as James Milford scored from close range. New Street hauled themselves back into the contest four minutes later, as Kieran Lebrun’s cross saw Casson Spencer’s glancing header hit the net.

Tadley’s response was immediate, as Denham grabbed his second and the same player was only denied a first-half hat-trick by the woodwork.

New Street started the second-half the better, as Robb headed over from Zak McNally’s free-kick, before Robert Readman made it 3-2 with a well struck low shot from a corner.

Once again Tadley hit back quickly as Spencer Barlow’s fine lay-back saw a sweet strike from Grant Powell hit the roof of the net from 20 yards out.

New Street so nearly scored a third goal just after the hour, after sub Prince Xamela’s shot hit the post, but from this Tadley broke out, and Denham turned provider with a cross to the back post which Tennant buried as Tadley fell just shy of promotion to the Wessex Premier.

Manager Paul Reidy said, “I am pleased with the performance but at times we displayed some very naive defending which will always cost us at this level. That said the lads that were there today never gave up and on another day we could have scored five ourselves. ‘All the players have re-signed for next season which is a great start and we have also had new players contacting us to join and make us stronger. We are also looking at promoting our youth players as we have a good youth set up at New Street and we would like to tap into that to progress these young players through the ranks. I also have new back room staff with coach Rob Wilkins committing himself for the coming season and Ray Cozze is also coming on board as an assistant. I have known Ray for years and have the upmost respect for him. His knowledge and experience can only help us move in the right direction. “

Pre-season training starts Tuesday June 16.