Andover Town2–0○Newport (IoW)

Newport IOW were visitors to the Portway this Saturday to play a league game against a strong Andover Town team. The visitors had not taken any league points from the home team for some time and faced this match having only played once in January and sitting low down in the league with only 18pts. The early part of the game looked like it was going to be an easy home win, but Newport fought tirelessly and the game ended 2-0 to Andover who gave a solid if not goal-rich performance. Andover’s new signing Adam Costello was included in the team and ran out for the first time in the home team colours.

Despite persistent rain, which had hardly stopped for nearly 24 hours, the pitch was fit for play and the game started well for Andover as after only a few minutes a Jason Silver pass made contact with Joe Wright in front of goal. But the attempt was efficiently stopped by Newport’s goalkeeper Gary Streeter. Play quickly moved to the other end of the pitch where a nifty run by Emerson Tattershall resulted in a poor finish which was not made with any conviction. However Tattershall was to continue to perform these quick moves and proved to cause Andover problems in midfield on a number of occasions. Andover made a rapid counter attack and the ball was soon at the other end of the field where Alex Dockree was making a skilful run down the left hand side when he was brought down. However before hitting the ground he made an inspired pass to George Hallahan who thundered it home for the home team’s first goal. Shortly afterwards Silver made a run down the far side and passed the ball across to Hallahan, the resulting Newport clearance attempt left them giving away a free kick just outside the penalty area. Mike Gosney stepped up to take the kick and made scoring look easy. There was no challenge to his kick and Andover had their second goal in a game that was looking like it could result in a very high score. Over the next period of the match Newport started to connect better. Tattershall continued to make testing runs and made chances for his team. In one particular move he gave Aurcle Beya an opening with only Kieran McHardy to beat. McHardy made no mistake with the save and gave a safe and secure performance throughout making some smart decisions when challenged. Half an hour into the game Hallahan once again found himself in front of goal but facing the wrong way, unfortunately he was unable to execute a turn and shoot and the attempt went wide. The remainder of the first half saw a number of home team attempts on goal with Ben Cook and Gosney nearly making it a third shortly before the break and a Hallahan volley skimming the cross bar.

Half time - Andover Town 2-0 Newport (IoW)

Early in the second half a cross from Gosney found Hallahan in front of goal which he put wide, these type of attempts were coming thick and fast for the home team and it still looked like a large win margin was on the books. Not long after the restart Hallahan was substituted with Reece Rusher and Silver took up the centre forward position with Rusher complimenting Gosney on the opposite wing. Rusher played a good game using his speed and ball control to make a number of opportunities. Some later home team attempts were orchestrated by Rusher and any one of them could have provided another goal. Newport continued to battle but their finishing just didn’t produce any results. Charlie Urry found himself with one good opportunity only to find the flag had been raised for offside. The away team seemed to be getting increasingly frustrated. They had a strong midfield spell in the second half but still no return for their effort. Costello nearly put his name on the goal sheet when in the 66th minute a splendid cross from Rusher found the head of the new signing at the far corner. Unfortunately for Costello the attempt was put out for a corner kick by Streeter. Newport started to collect cautions which was a reflection on the frustration they continued to suffer from the lack of rewards for their efforts. A foul on Silver gave Andover another free kick just outside the penalty area. Once again Gosney stepped up to take and the crowd almost held their breadth whilst he made his run up. Unfortunately this time he was unable to place the ball with the same amount of accuracy but the fans gasped as it went only just wide. Andover made two more substitutions bringing on Aaron Nesbeth and McAulie Stubbs for Jason Silver and Mike Hubbard. As the game came to a close Gosney was to be presented with another free kick opportunity. This time it was too far out for a goal attempt but the cross found Stubbs’ head, unfortunately it went wide for a goal kick. A few minutes later Rusher set up Gosney who uncharacteristically missed the target, trying to beat Streeter. In the last minutes of injury time Urry nearly gave Newport a consolation goal. It was a well structured manoeuvre which presented only McHardy to beat. In true form McHardy made a terrific save however the flag had already been raised for offside. The game ended with a home win from two goals scored early in the first half. Newport showed spells of well structured play but were unable to finish any of their moves as Andover defended their lead effectively.