○East Cowes Victoria1–1Andover Town

Andover Town’s away day blues continued in the league as they racked up their third straight draw on the road and lost ground to current league leaders, Laverstock & Ford. Andover went in to the game missing a number of players through injury and suspension. Zac Hine and Josh Bertie were both suspended, Tom Pattison and Michael Donovan were carrying knocks whilst Howard Nhemachena was unavailable for selection. However, Scott Walker returned from a back injury to take his place in the starting 11 and Bradley Charles came in for his debut.

After an explosive second 45 minutes against Whitchurch in the previous game which saw Andover run out 4-1 victors, the away side looked to start the game in the same vein but lacked a cutting edge despite Ben Emans and Josh Hewson causing problems when running with the ball. The game was played out in the middle of the park with Brendan Holmes, Callum Sweeney and Harry Barkaway trying to establish a foothold in the game but being denied by a hardworking East Cowes side. When called in to action, George Baxter looked assured in goal, making several decent saves to thwart the home side. Both sides went in at the break goalless although Andover skipper, Holmes, succumbed to an earlier knock and was replaced with Stamburi.

Half-time East Cowes Victoria 0-0 Andover Town

The second half opened up, Baxter making several stops before East Cowes went ahead, Sam Kirby beating the offside trap and firing the ball under the advancing Baxter to put the home side in front. It could have been 2 nil soon after, the ball ending up in the net but the linesman’s flag had already indicated an offside in the build up. Andover began to exert some pressure without creating too many chances. As an element of frustration was creeping in, an Emans corner was met by Josh Hewson to head in from close range. With 15 minutes still to go, the momentum was behind Andover. Sweeney’s set pieces caused some problems without causing the goalkeeper too much difficulty. Still, East Cowes looked dangerous on the break but neither side were able to find a winner. Andover will be disappointed to drop further behind at the top of the division but East Cowes were fully deserved of at least a point. Andover’s unbeaten run stretches to 8 games but they are fully aware that results need to pick up on the road and with some big hitters returning to the squad over the next few weeks, will hope this is the case.