ANDOVER Town moved off the bottom of the Wessex League Premier Division as they completed the double over Folland Sports as they beat the visitors 2-1.

This was thanks to a solid performance in all departments. Even though the second goal was produced by one of the best build ups and finishes seen this season credit should not be detracted from the defence who played with cohesion and solidity.

George Murge made his first start for Andover in the number seven shirt normally worn by Jordan Ragguette.

Murge had made his debut in the last game for about 10 minutes, where his speed had impressed.

Andover’s first attack on goal was in the fifth minute when Shaquille Gwengwe passed back to Ben Emans who was unable to turn in time to shoot before being closed down by the Folland defence.

Only minutes later the visitors won a free kick half way between the penalty and halfway line.

The ball was deflected over Kieran McHardy’s goal for the first corner of the game.

The Folland number seven Breon Graham probably caused the most problems for Andover.

If it hadn’t been for the close attention Owen Trapnell paid to his every move Graham could have been instrumental in the final result being very different.

A Graham shot in the 10th minute sailed passed the Andover defence and only just wide.

Andover’s next opportunity was from a free-kick taken by Josh Bertie.

The ball entered the penalty area where defender Nathan Lunness found himself in the best place for a shot.

Unfortunately in holding back to prevent being offside he found himself with just to much ground to make up he missed the ball and it went behind for a goal kick.

The first test for Folland goalkeeper George Samson came from an attempt by Emans.

The first half continued with both sides having their share of the play.

A run by Sanchez McLean tested McHardy but the ever-reliant Brendan Holmes was there to cover his back and to provide assistance if required.

Graham found another chance to make the home fans hold their breath when his cross passed straight across McHardy’s goal face, bit no one was there to benefit.

On the far wing Murge was finding every time he received the ball he attracted more than his fair share of defenders.

However, it did not stop him as most of the time he could out-run them.

On one occasion he passed the ball into Bertie who executed a clever dummy to turn and shoot, but it was deflected wide of the target.

Andover’s first corner did not come until the 26th minute. Lunness once again found himself in the best position for a shot, but the whistle was blown, presumably for high kicking.

Folland came out after the break clearly intent on causing problems and taking a win. However, the Andover defence and McHardy in goal had a different agenda.

The brief onslaught was dealt with without fuss.

As the game approached an hour old Andover had already combatted the Folland initial attack and were beginning to build up momentum of their own.

A clever flick by George Higgins had provided Gwengwe with a chance pushed out for a corner and the subsequent kick had resulted in the ball skimming over the heads of all the expectant goal scorers before going out for a goal kick.

Then on 61 minutes Gwengwe was through with only one defender and the goalkeeper to beat.

He went down in the penalty area and a spot kick was awarded and Gwengwe made no mistake from the spot

Only a minute and Folland were awarded their own penalty, which Callum Oliver gave McHardy no chance with.

After this both teams had good chances to take the three points.

Higgins forced Samson to make a fantastic save one end whilst Bertie cleared a ball of the line the other and McHardy needed to cover a shot which hit his crossbar.

Then with only a few minutes left Emans created space and passed to new signing Matt Devereux who found the feet of Gwengwe to scored what turned out to be the winner.

The home side so nearly made it 3-1, but Bertie’s free-kick hit the post in the 94th minute.

Next for Andover is a Fawley on Saturday..