It was a welcome return to competitive football for Andover Town’s u-15s this month.

With the enforced 4 months shut down of the league over, there was a real sense of anticipation amongst players and supporters alike.

Andover’s first fixture, away to Beggarwood, resulted in a comfortable 4-2 victory, the away side having rocketed to a 3-0 lead by half time. Well taken goals by the front pairing of Dyllan Roocroft and Louis Williams bookended a typically calm penalty from Maxwell Andrews. There were a few nervous moments as Beggarwood clawed a couple of goals back with defensive errors from a rusty Andover back line but Andrews popped up, out of position, to tap home a clever cut back from Roocroft. A nice range of passing from the midfield of Henry Youd and Harry Mealing bodes well for the remaining fixtures.

In their second fixture, Andover entertained table toppers Winklebury, a well drilled and street savvy side. In spite of conceding an early goal, Andover managed to hold their own with a number of chances falling to their front duo, without success. Andover gave away a penalty on the hour mark and although there was a fine attempt from goalkeeper Jo Lyons, went 0-2 down. A third Winklebury goal looked to have put the game out Andover’s reach but the home side rallied late into the game. An excellent long ball from Youd found Roocroft who’s saved shot rebounded for Williams to drill home. A final Andover goal in the 80th minute for Andrews followed a rampaging run to get on the end of a Roocroft cut back. A tense finish to an excellent game with Winklebury just edged an excellent game 3-2.

Manager Leigh Williams was delighted with both games., seeing them as a measure of how far the side has come in the last two seasons and elaborated in his post-match interview. “New signing Fraser Craigen is a strong composed addition to the midfield but I would also like to highlight the improvements and impact that Paddy Clarke, Jimmy Del-Gesso and Casey Young are now making. I am looking forward to this side competing hard every week in this league and to keep this group together for next season.”