○Newport (IoW)1–2Andover Town

There were two changes from the Andover Town side that drew with Brockenhurst. Ross Gregory returned from the injury sustained in the warmup against Brockenhurst and Zach Glasspool started upfront, with new signing Callum Sweeney, signed from Whitchurch United, on the bench. New coach John McFarlane appeared in the dugout for the first time. On a bright and sunny afternoon on the Isle of Wight Andover Town playing in all white kicked off. An early chance fell to the home side but the shot from Josh Younie was tipped over by Jamie Bray at the expense of a corner. With around 10 minutes gone Zach Glasspool’s shot was saved by Gary Streeter in the Newport goal. Then shortly after, Adam Grange went past a defender on the left and his cross was deflected for a corner. From the corner the ball headed out to Onoufriou whose shot was deflected for another corner, which was cleared. This was followed by a Charlie Gunson long range shot which just cleared the crossbar. Then a Cross from the left hand side found Josh Younie, ex Andover Town, whose shot was tipped over by Jamie Bray for a corner. Town almost took the lead when a Charlie Gunson pass found Zach Glasspool whose shot was deflected onto the crossbar and over for a corner. As the first half was drawing to a close, following a foul by Jake Younie, McAulie Stubbs picked up a yellow card for which we can only assume was given because of his strong protest at the foul. Andover had shaded the first half in terms of shots corners and possession but we reached the halftime break 0-0.

Early in the second half, a Charlie Gunson shot was gathered by Streeter at the second attempt. Minutes later Town made their first substitution of the afternoon bringing on Shane Lock for Rudi Plummer. Shane Lock was soon making his mark with a well hit shot saved by Streeter. On the hour, Charlie Gunson opened the scoring for Andover after a cross from the left found Shane Lock whose header was saved by the keeper but the ball ran loose for Charlie Gunson to sweep the ball home to give Town a deserved lead. A minute later Andover Town had a strong penalty claim which the referee waved away. Then, making a welcome return after injury, Alex Dockree replaced Javier Santafe. Charlie Gunson played a through ball into Zach Glasspool whose well placed shot was saved by Streeter. With 20 minutes remaining, a Shot by Kelly Connor was well saved by Jamie Bray diving to his right. Town responded straight away when Adam Grange had a shot saved by Streeter. Town made their final substitution of the afternoon Ben Blackwell coming on for Zach Glasspool. With 5 minutes’ left, Shane lock slid the ball to Charlie Gunson whose shot hit the keeper and was cleared. Deep into injury time Shane Lock side footed home Town’s second goal. However, in the dying seconds of the game Jimmi Burton’s shot was blocked by Craig Blakeman but the ball ballooned up in the air towards the goal and into the back of the net. At full time Andover Town were worthy winners and have now taken 10 points out of the last 12 and move up to 12th Place