Andover Diamonds 2 Havant Mens Vets II 0

The Diamonds were forced into settling for a draw at home to Trojans Vets in their previous league fixture and were expecting another close game against a tough Havant side.

And the game played out as expected with both teams creating good chances from the off.

Even in the first minute of the game both sides went close in an end-to-end match.

The home side were guilty of more errors than their opponents in the first 10 minutes and found themselves defending a series of penalty corners.

However the Diamonds finally picked up their game and began to create chances.

They maintained their advantage and it was not long before John Priestley-Cooper pounced on a bobbling ball in the D and scored from short range.

Despite taking the lead Andover were frustrated by their opponents as they struggled to get into the rhythm of their normal passing game.

However Priestley-Cooper’s goal gave them the 1-0 lead going into the break.

(Action from Diamonds' 2-0 win over Havant Mens Vets II)

A half-time team talk from the Diamonds skipper had a positive effect on the home side as they started the second half well.

Although there were still many errors, some good moves were put together as the visitors began to tire.

The defence held strong, with man-of-the-match, Rob Oostendorf, as the linchpin. Andover gradually built a dominance however Havant continued to unsettle the home side’s comfortable play with the occasional break-away attack.

Ten minutes into the second half, a shot from an Andover short corner was well defended, but Mike Boyne was fastest to the loose ball and smashed it against the back board to double the home side’s advantage.

The goal secured the match and all three points for the Diamonds who now sit one point clear of nearest rivals Newbury and Thatcham at the top of the Wessex Masters League Division Two.

The Diamonds had this weekend before returning to action against mid-table Chichester Priory Park Deacons at home on March 5.