Andover New Street scored two late goals to snatch a hard-fought 4-2 victory against visiting Romsey Town.

Romsey’s recent performances have seen them rise up the table and on the evidence of this afternoon it is easy to understand why as they came back from two goals down to be level midway through the second half before two late goals gave New Street the points. They dominated the game in the middle of the second half but to the home side’s credit their defence held firm and eventually they came out on top.

There was a scrappy opening to proceedings with play mainly in midfield, though Romsey were a little fortunate when goalkeeper Jordi Valero dropped a corner under no real pressure and was rewarded with a free kick. On eleven minutes another corner produced a more positive outcome for the home side as Matt Scott rose above a crowded area to send his header high into the roof of the net.

Street keeper Sean O’Brien tipped an Ollie Jenkins drive over the bar and the home side were then forced in to an early substitution with Cameron Thatcher replacing the injured Adam Pearson.

As New Street sought a second goal a Harry Lawton shot came back off the crossbar and a defender was within inches of turning a Reece Rusher cross past his own keeper. Shane Lock and Ross Cook saw efforts blocked, but Romsey in turn were making good use of the flanks with John Cole a constant threat on the left side.

The visitors appeal for a penalty after a challenge in the area was turned down – the referee was perfectly positioned – while at the other end Valero was at full stretch to turn a Lawton shot round the post and he then denied Cook with his legs after Mikey Davis made the opening, The last action of the half saw a dangerous Romsey attack halted by the offside flag leaving New Street a goal to the good at the break.

The referee’s whistle started the second half and inside a minute it was blown again to signal a second New Street goal as they made immediate and unchecked progress down the left side before Harry Lawton slid the ball past Valero and inside the far post.

The two-goal cushion however lasted for little more than five minutes as the ball was given away in midfield and Jack Odam held off two challenges before beating O’Brien from a narrow angle.

Romsey then wasted a free kick on the edge of the area given in accordance with the rules but very harsh – the defender was simply struck by the ball – before another free kick from the same place was again wasted.

Romsey were now having the run of the midfield and gained reward for their efforts as the clock reached thirty minutes. Three or four quick passes took them in to the area, the ball broke loose and Liam Magee fired home from some fifteen yards to make it very much game on.

Street came back with Lock hitting the bar and the game was in its final five minutes when they fashioned a carbon copy of their second goal. Again, the ball was worked down the left and this time substitute Josh Jeffrey – who has a welcome flair for scoring goals when coming off the bench – slotted the ball across Valero and inside the far post to restore Street’s lead.

With Scott and Lewis Alderman dominant at the heart of the defence, there was no way back for Romsey and they conceded a fourth goal in stoppage time. Keeper Valero raced almost to the half way line to block Davis and then engaged in “conversation” with the striker seemingly unaware that the ball had gone loose for Reece Rusher to find the unguarded net from some thirty yards as Valero vainly tried to return to his goal and it was game over in all respects.

Romsey will certainly feel that they deserved something out of the game but they never made enough of their use of the flanks whilst over the ninety minutes New Street proved sharper in front of goal and remain very much in the promotion hunt.