Andover Town go 15 points clear at the top

The East Hampshire side are notoriously difficult to overcome both home and away so Andover were well pleased with their effort in this game.

Town made one change to the team that started the previous match with Reece Rusher coming in for the unavailable Jason Silver.

Andover started well and took the lead in the seventh minute.Mike Gosney’s cross caused confusion amongst the visiting defenders allowing George Hallahan to score from close range.

The match then settled into a midfield battle with few outright chances being created.During this period Hallahan came nearest to scoring with a 25 yard effort that former Andover Goalkeeper Lloyd Thomas did well to turn away for a corner.

Horndean were always quick on the break but the Town defence were uncompromising and Luke Cairney was rarely troubled.Two minutes before the interval Andover doubled their advantage as Gosney once again set up Hallahan to provide the close range finish.

As the second half got under way their was more intensity in Horndean’s approach and early on Miles Everett should have done better firing wide after his sides best attack of the match so far.Just past the hour mark Everett had an even better chance but again the opportunity was wasted.

As in the first period much of the game was being contested in the middle third with few clear cut chances at either end. It was still entertaining as Horndean urged on by a very vocal manager worked hard to get back into the game.

However Andover continued to play resourcefully and sensibly giving little away to their opponents.

With a minute of normal time remaining Everett had his third opportunity to score but this time Cairney saved well at the expense of a corner that came to nothing.

In February, Andover have to visit the teams currently second and fourth behind them in the league plus a return with Horndean confirming that there is still a long way to go.

Their next game is on Tuesday in the Andover Open Cup against Alresford.