○Laverstock & Ford4–3Andover Town

After conceding two early goals a determined fight back by Andover brought them back into the game and within ten minutes of gaining their first points of the season. In many ways this match was a mirror image of their last match against Petersfield and there is still a sense amongst the Town faithful that the first positive result of the season is not far away.

So far this season Andover’s Achilles Heel has been defending cross into their area and therefore it was no surprise when Laverstock scored after two minutes.Spencer Horton was lurking unmarked at the far post and as the corner came in his header sailed into the net. The deficit was soon doubled when Tommy Campbell-Smith fired in a long range volley but there was a suspicion that the effort took a minor deflection on it’s way through. The game continued at a fast pace with chances at both ends and the match was still only twenty minutes old when Josh Bertie fired in a piledriver from twenty five yards to reduce the arrears.However it took Laverstock two minutes to respond with a somewhat fortuitous goal. A firm shot ricocheted back off the bar and in the scramble that followed Campbell-Smith managed to provide the final touch. The home side had another effort ruled out for offside and chances at either end continued to be created.

Half time - Laverstock & Ford 3-1 Andover Town

Soon after the interval Waledin Ahmed’s shot was fumbled by the goalkeeper who just managed to recover and stop the ball rolling over the line. A Bertie effort hit the woodwork, Jordon Ragguette’s attempt was on target before taking a deflection as Andover began playing their best football of the season. Their commitment was rewarded when Shaquille Gwengwe raced onto a pass that split the defence before rounding the goalkeeper to score Andover’s second and set up a grand finale. That moment came with ten minutes left. Andover were awarded a free kick a couple of yards outside the left hand side of the Laverstock area. Josh Bertie’s sweetly struck shot sailed over the defensive wall into the top corner of the net. Regretfully any chance that Andover would now be able to share the points were soon dispelled as with just over five minutes left another cross into the area was not defended well and Archie Lovegrove converted the opportunity to secure the victory for Laverstock. The Town faithful returned home disappointed but much encouraged by a arguably the best team effort of the season so far. Andover’s next three games are at the Portway but they will be without Josh Bertie who will be away on international duty. We wish him well.