ANDOVER Town recorded their first win of the season as Shaquille Gwengwe scored twice right at the end of their home game against Fawley.

Town showed maturity and experience way beyond their limited time together as a team as they fought back from a half time deficit and ended the game on a scoring spree.

The game started with little to choose between the two teams and Fawley had the first chances.

Andover’s first shot on goal came from Josh Bertie's free-kick just outside the area, which was deflected straight into the hands of Tom Parker-Trott.

Just a couple of minutes later, Jordan Ragguette made a good run down the wing and played the ball into Cole Oates, unfortunately his positioning wasn’t great so he attempted a back-heel into goal, but it lacked enough force to cause any damage. Oates played an enthusiastic game chasing every chance of possession. It was unfortunate he needed to be substituted at half time as the run of play in the second half would have probably given him an opportunity to end up on the score sheet.

Jordan Ragguette played his usual exceptional game as his speed and agility beat the Fawley defenders on a number of occasions.

Sam Mills, who was playing in a midfield position for this game, became the recipient of one of Ragguette’s crosses, but was unable to convert.

In the 15th minute it looked like Andover had conceded a scruffy goal as Zac Willis finally put the ball in the back of the net following a messy goal front scrabble with Nathan Lunness and Mark Keogh.

However the goal was disallowed as the officials ruled the ball had been assisted by Willis’ hand.

Ragguette continued to present danger to the visitors and not only did he provide numerous opportunities he took a few shots.

Owen Trapnell and Lunness presented as a formidable duo in defence worked well together and provided Andover with a stability at the back.

In addition, Keogh brought experience and confidence difficult to engender in a new team with limited time together.

In the 39th minute, Fawley scored with Ollie Bradley who was presented with an open goal.

Solomon Mawo was close to equalising just before half time as he tried to lob the ball over Parker-Trott but ended up hitting it just too hard and it cleared the cross bar.

Cole Oates was substituted at half time for Gwengwe in an almost like-for-like replacement.

From the off Andover could clearly see an opportunity to gain some league points.

Another great cross from Ragguette found Mills whose shot was equally as impressive, but a deflection prevented it from nipping in the near post.

As the game entered the last 10 minutes Andover stepped up a gear.

A Lunness long pass initially looked random, but ended up being an incredibly accurate cross to Mawo, who could not beat off his defenders but did win a corner.

A few minutes later, Ragguette was set on his way from an exceptional pass by Trapnell.

His subsequent shot was deflected back to Gwengwe, but the manoeuvre was halted for a foul by Andover.

Ragguette went down injured, but he continued to the end of the game as all the subs had been used.

Then, with only a couple of minutes left to play,

A Bertie cross came to Gwengwe who had several attempts in a goal mouth scuffle but came out the victor.

With only seconds to go Andover were on for their first points of the season.

But Gwengwe was not finished and Brendan Holmes’ cross gave him an open shot on the Fawley goal.

It hit the net and you would have thought Andover had won the league as the stand erupted into applause and screaming.

The final whistle could not have come sooner.

This result was very well deserved. Congratulations to the squad and their coaching staff for their hard work, perseverance and conviction to make this work.

This Saturday, Andover have no game, but are back in action on October 13, when they face Badshot Lea in the first round of the FA Vase first round.