Andover Town0–2○Alton

On a cold Autumn afternoon, Andover Town entertained Alton at the Portway. Town were looking to improve their league position at the foot of the table, whilst the visitors were keen to put the 8-2 midweek hammering by Christchurch behind them. Town made 6 changes from the side that lost to Ringwood previously and also included in the squad was new signing Nic Turpin making his return to the Portway.

The first half started with Andover showing some determination and forced an early corner but the effort was wasted. However, this was followed by a shot from Town’s Emans that was comfortably saved by keeper Broughton in the Alton goal. Then with just seven minutes on the clock, Andover found themselves in a familiar position, when a cross from Alton’s Watts, found the head of Bunyan, whose powerful header was initially saved by McHardy but he couldn’t hold it and the ball trickled over the goal line to put the visitors in the lead. Andover didn’t seem deterred and some good play found Pinnock in space but his shot was wide when the home fans thought he might have scored. Alton had their chances but were wide of the target. Pinnock again found space but again his shot from outside of the box was off target. Then once again Andover were on the back foot with just a quarter of an hour gone, a good solo run by Bunyan, who proved to be a handful for the home defence all afternoon, took the ball direct to the goal and his shot beat McHardy to give the visitors a two-goal cushion. A few minutes later a powerful shot by Andover’s Willis, looked goal bound but Broughton made a fine save. However, the home side still showed some grit and the busy Holmes created a chance with a cross that found Pinnock but he was unable to find the net. Some good play by Andover’s Uka found Emans but his shot was well saved by Broughton. As the match reached the half hour mark Andover forced a couple of corners but couldn’t capitalise on them. The game continued to flow end to end. As the match was close to half time, Alton had a free kick that found the head of the Bunyan but he was just wide of the goal. The visitors had another free kick from the right and it found the danger man Bunyan again, but he was denied a hat trick by McHardy who made a superb save. Andover continued to strive for the elusive goal even the busy Holmes couldn’t find the net.

Half time – Andover Town 0-2 Alton

The second half started with Andover on the ascendency with the lively Pinnock having the first attempt on goal without luck. Alton then replied with Black going close. Again, Pinnock saw a shot well saved again by Broughton in the Alton goal. A cross by Buras- Clarke for Alton was mis-judged by McHardy as the ball travelled across the goal mouth and the Andover faithful breathed a sigh of relief as the error was cleared by Willis. With fifty minutes gone, the crowd appreciated the arrival of Nic Turpin from the substitutes bench. After an Andover attack that was well defended the ball fell to Ahmed whose shot from outside of the box just cleared the Alton cross bar. At the other end the visitors forced a corner, the kick reached Black at the far post and his header reached the dangerous Bunyan his header in turn bought a reaction save from McHardy to deny the striker his hat-trick once again. Andover were giving a good account of themselves but poor finishing was letting them down. Then when they gained a free kick the ball fell to Turpin, he managed to turn sharply but his shot was well saved by Broughton. As the half progressed, the game continued to flow back & forth but neither keeper called into much action. With around a quarter of an hour left, McHardy was in action as he took the ball cleanly off Bunyan who was bearing down on goal. A good through ball to Holmes, saw the Andover captain take the ball towards goal but the finish was just wide of the target. Shortly after Broughton in the Alton goal was booked for time wasting. A defensive error by Andover nearly cost them another goal as Bunyan broke through but his finish was poor. Andover began to take control of the match looking for the elusive goal. This saw a shot from a corner cleared off the Alton goal line, then a strong shot from Holmes was well saved by Broughton. Followed minutes later by another goal bound shot cleared off the line. All this and an offside awarded against Turpin. The match ended with Alton taking the three points and Andover rueing the missed chances. They now face the trip to league leaders, Hythe & Dibden in midweek.