○Fleet Spurs1–2Andover Town

Andover Town made it 3 wins in a row after their defeat to Petersfield to keep pace with the league challengers on a weekend when several of their rivals dropped points.

In a game that won’t last long in the memory, Town did what was necessary in order to wrap up a win as they enter a defining period of the season.

With Trapnell returning in place of Owen and Ryan Griffiths coming in for the missing Jordon Smith, Andover’s line up had a familiar look about it. They started the better of the two teams but it was evident that the pitch could be a leveller as players struggled to control the ball and places were regularly misplaced. After several half chances, David Jerrard went close to putting the visitors in front as his glancing header from a corner hit the post and Medway was unable to get on to the rebound. Ryan Griffiths posed several problems without having a clear sight of goal but after 26 minutes he demonstrated his potential and goal scoring prowess. Griffiths raced on to the ball over the back line and as the keeper thought about advancing he side footed the ball in to the corner of the net. Whilst there is some debate as to whether he is the youngest goal scorer in Wessex league history he is certainly amongst them.

As the Town’s travelling support were considering whether they would see the onset of a dominant display, the home side capitalised in some indecisive defending. Holmes was unable to win his challenge and the ball broke for the Fleet skipper to prod him and beat a flat footed Steinborn-Busse.

As the game entered a new phase it began to resemble a Sunday league encounter. Moments of skill were interspersed with heavy touches and bobbles. However, moments before half time, Adam Pattison made it two in two as he rose at the back post to head back across goal and wrong foot the keeper. As a result, Town entered half time 2-1 up.

In the second half, neither side were able to improve although Jerrard was proving to be the best player on the pitch. His movement and ability to find space meant he had several chances. As the game progressed he got closer and closer but not able to find the much needed third goal.

Griffiths created a chance for Holmes but his feet got stuck on the pitch and couldn’t get his effort away. On the break, Fleet Spurs looked dangerous as their captain and right winger caused problems with their pace. The referee rightly waved ‘play on’ when Moulding went shoulder to shoulder in the box causing the home sides skipper to fall to the ground.

In the end, Town saw out the win to go joint second and breathe a huge sigh of relief. They now enter a critical period with games against Downton (1st February) and Laverstock (12th February) at the Portway and away trips to fellow promotion hopefuls, Follands (5th February) and Andover New Street (15th February). The possibilities for this season will undoubtedly become clearer after these games.