Andover Town4–3○Totton & Eling

A defeat in this game would have consigned Andover Town to the league basement position but this win now gives them a four point advantage over Totton & Eling who remain bottom. However they have two games in hand over Andover who on paper have the tougher run in.

Andover, in what became a seven goal thriller, had the best of the opening exchanges and Jordan Ragguette could well have given Andover an early advantage.Then a superb run by Ben Emans deserved a reward but Shaquille Gwengwe just failed to find the final touch. Play continued to flow from end to end and it was the visitors who scored the opening goal as a deep cross into the area was not dealt with and Andover paid the ultimate price. However Andover responded with the equaliser five minutes later as George Higgins fired in a low shot from the edge of the area. Totton had a “goal” ruled out following a goalmouth scramble but just before the interval Andover were not so lucky as Totton scored their second following another scramble. Andover can justifiably feel aggrieved as the free kick that proceeded the goal was taken at least ten yards forward of the correct position.

Half time - Andover Town 1-2 Totton & Eling

Andover had their tails up as the second half got underway and restricting Totton to their own half for long periods.It was exciting to watch and the faithful were rewarded just past the hour mark as Josh Bertie’s long range effort sailed into the net. Ten minutes later Shaquille Gwengue was upended inside the area and he duly stepped up to convert the penalty and give Andover the lead and set up a nail biting final twenty minutes. The pace of the match rarely faltered with chances at both ends but with just under ten minutes left Ben Emans scored a fine fourth goal for Andover that was beautifully set up by George Higgins. Andover may have then switched off as within a minute Totton scored again. As the seconds ticked away the more pessimistic supporters thought Andover might blow it but they held on to claim the vital three points.