BRADLEY Benson netted twice from the penalty spot to earn Andover Town a 2-1 victory over Hamworthy in the Wessex Premier League on Saturday.

However it was a game of two contrasting halves for the home side, who almost threw away their two goal lead after the break, despite a dominant performance in the first 45 minutes.

Andover got off to the perfect start when they were awarded a penalty on four minutes after Ibrahim Olutade was tripped inside the box.

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(Ibrahim Olutade was tripped in the box for Andover's first penalty)

Benson stepped up to fire the ball calmly into the bottom left corner - sending goalkeeper Gerrard Benfield the wrong way in the process.

The goal looked to have settled the home side early-on but Hamworthy fired a warning shot back at their hosts after eight minutes.

A whipped cross cut open Andover's back line and fell nicely to Brad Gale, whose header bounced wide of Jamie Bray's right post when in reality he should have scored.

Andover were awarded a second penalty after 15 minutes when Charlie Gunson was hauled down in the middle of the box as he attempted to control a low cross.

Hamworthy vigorously appealed the decision but to no avail as Benson fired perfectly into the bottom left to narrowly beat a diving Benfield.

Andover looked in full control as the half went on and very nearly made it 3-0 after 30 minutes but for a goal line clearance from Dan Haysom.

The defender headed the ball over the crossbar after Gunson had lobbed Benfield with a half volley.

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(Gunson was pulled down in the box for Town's second penalty)

Town continued to create chances with Olutade and Pekun looking a constant threat down the flanks and Gunson drifting in behind striker Luke Walker.

However the four forwards could not add to Town's lead before half time.

Andover maintained control after the break and nearly extended their lead through Connor Cocklin.

The defender rose well to meet a Lewis Benson corner but his effort crashed against the crossbar and out to safety.

Hamworthy made a series of subs in an attempt to get a foothold into the game, bringing on Paddy Hester and Stephen Penny in place of Matt Kemble and Brad Gale.

And the visitors did get the foothold they were after on 65 minutes when Josh Rose took advantage of Andover's lapse in concentration to tap in from four yards.

The midfielder beat his man to a long free-kick cross and deflected it past a stunned Bray to cut Town's lead.

Hamworthy nearly equalised ten minutes later when a long ball from Benfield was deflected nicely into the path of Connor Phillips but the striker's effort went narrowly wide.

The game began to get steadily more heated and both Chris Onofriou and Connor Satterley were booked for a scuffle in midfield.

Sensing a shift in momentum, Town boss Neil Benson attempted to sure up the midfield after 75 minutes, sacrificing striker Walker to bring on Jordan O'Donnell.

However Hamworthy hit the post just moments later in what would turn out to be their best opportunity to steal a point from the Portway.

Benfield glided a free-kick from halfway over the Town defence and Rose was first to it again, but this time could only hit the base of the post.

A relieved Town quickly regained their composure to hold their 2-1 lead and all three points.

The result means Andover are unbeaten in seven league games, of which they have won five, and moves them up to 3rd in the Wessex Premier.

Town will be looking to continue their recent good form when they face Fawley away on Wednesday night.