Andover Town2–1○Lymington Town

Andover Town did well to collect a valuable three from this game during which they struggled to find their usual consistency. A pacey Lymington side made it difficult for them throughout and the visitors will have been disappointed they failed to take at least a point. Andover made one change to the team that started the previous match against Portland. Goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe signed on loan from Moneyfields made his debut whilst Joe Wright made his fiftieth appearance for the club.

Throughout the back line of both sides were outstanding and few chances were created before Andover took the lead with twenty minutes gone. The persistence of Ben Cook held off several challenges close to the bye line before his short pass enabled Zach Glasspool to tap in from close range. Five minutes later Mowthorpe saved well to deny Jake King an quick equaliser and from the resulting corner Sam House fired over the bar. The rest of the first half was mainly confined to the middle third of the pitch and at half time any of the three possible results were an option.

Half time - Andover Town 1-0 Lymington Town

It was more of the same in the second half as both sets of defenders remained dominant but arguably the games defining moment arrived around the hour mark. Jason Silver chasing a loose ball across the area was brought down and the penalty was awarded. After the inevitable Lymington protest had died down the goalkeeper could do little to prevent Mike Gosney’s powerful spot kick finding the back of the net. Just over a minute later Lymington were back in the game. A rare mistake at the back gifted Tim Stephenson an opportunity and from the edge of the area he drilled in beyond Mowthorpe to set up a nerve jangling finale for the home supporters. However clear cut chances remained sparse but with fifteen minutes left Mowthorpe brilliantly tipped a fierce volley over the bar and Andover lived to fight another day.