Andover 5 Bournemouth II 0

ANDOVER continued their excellent start to the season as they beat visitors Bournemouth II.

This season has seen a new resilient Andover take to the field every game and they have been rewarded by their results and they have now won seven and drawn one and are sitting at the top of the table two points above nearest rival Haslemere.

Andover and Haslemere have now opened a gap at the top of the table and will be hoping that they will still be there at the end of the season.

 

Alton 7 Andover II 4

ANDOVER entered this game three points clear at the top of the table with hopes of continuing their winning steak.

From the outset all the plans went out the window.

Mid-table Alton came out swinging and Andover were soon on the back foot.

Alton’s fast breaks and strength through the centre meant that despite Andover’s best efforts within the first 25 minutes they were 4-0 down.

Never being a team to give in Andover battled through and with a goal from Richard Ship ended the first half 5-1.

Struggling to find their usual cohesive style Andover continued to press Alton in the second half. Goals from Ivan Daley and two from Ben Antony still couldn't prove enough to overturn a strong Alton side.

 

Andover III 5 Trojans V 4

THE win Andover III had been seeking all season eventually came their way on Saturday.

Captain Steve Payne was able to field the strongest side he has had so far and it paid dividends as Andover dominated throughout.

Trojans opened the scoring, but Andover responded immediately and soon saw their first of the day through Matt Bowry, and a second followed from pitch captain, James Rochester, and a third and fourth from Matt Hodgson and Ben Goacher came before half-time.

The second half saw Trojans make a comeback as they pressed hard from the start and got their second and third from penalty short corners.

An excellent stick save from the keeper initially stopped the fourth goal but unfortunately it was a Trojan who retrieved the ball and was able to slot it past an occupied defence.

In the final heart-stopping moments Andover secured a penalty short corner and were able to avoid a draw through the quick actions of Jordan Morris who found the backboard.

Haydn Jellard was awarded man of the match.

 

US Portsmouth Vets 1 Andover Diamonds 1

ANDOVER Diamonds travelled to Portsmouth still smarting from their cup exit last week at the hands of Reading Vets and looking to pick up where they left off in the league.

Diamonds started brightly and Alan Shaw was giving them the most trouble with darting runs and shots on goal but USP just about held on. On the half hour USP opened the scoring on the break against the run of play. The Diamonds attacked right to the half-time whistle but they were unable to score.

Right from the start of the second period Diamonds attacked and were rewarded when, during an attack down the left, the ball was hit into a congested D and Lance Mitchell popped up and got the final touch for the well-deserved equaliser. The game was frantic from that point with both sides pushing to gain the advantage.

The game became very heated and both sides had a player sent off at different times and it finished with honours even.

The Diamonds now have a two week rest to recharge their batteries and will restart their season with two games in the run-up to the festive season.