○Alresford Town3–0Andover Town

Thank goodness for a dry week and hopefully the end of the curse of waterlogged pitches. With the temperature hovering around zero and an icy wind which should make for fast paced game. There have been many epic struggles with Alresford over the years, almost all of which have been in the Premier League. The hosts were relegated last season but look like they are heading straight back – with a win today they would top the table whereas Andover continue to fight hard to avoid relegation. A real top v bottom contest today.

Missing several key players, especially striker Bertie, the pitch looked in remarkably good condition and the game started at a brisk space with Andover looking dangerous in the first few minutes with a couple of good breaks which threatened the home defence. The game settled quickly and it was a pretty even contest with both sides moving the ball well and creating scoring opportunities. But like many matches the season the hosts took the lead early on with a goal in the 8th minute from number 8 Scott Hills. Like many of the goals which have been conceded this season the defence looked frail and failed to clear the ball in the build up to the goal. Sadly the second goal followed pretty quickly in the 19th minute when a goalkeeping error allowed the ball to squirm free and to be poked into the again by Hills for his second. Score after 25 minutes was 2-0 to the hosts and this scoreline sadly reflected on a pretty normal start for Andover this season. The last 20 minutes of the half saw Andover get more and more into the game and were playing well. Indeed one of the crowd said at the half time interval that it was difficult to tell which team were second top in the league and which was second bottom. Half time score 2-0 to Alresford.

If anything the temperature had dropped a degree as the second half started and as in the last 20 minutes Andover were playing well stretching the home defence. Striker Goodman was holding the ball up very well and providing a great spearhead for a potential goal. Just as it looked like the tide had turned the old cliche of an ex player coming back to haunt his previous side saw Zach Hine pop up in the 65th minute and fire in a low shot from the edge of the area to make the score 3-0 to Alresford. The half moved on, Andover huffed and puffed but could not break the deadlock. In truth the home side managed the half out well and ran out comfortable winners at 3-0. But there were encouraging signs, especially in the first half, that the away side were getting much more into the game.

The next match is at home on Tuesday January 16th against mid-table Fawley, the match rearranged because of a waterlogged pitch. Kick-off is at 7.45pm and let’s hope Andover can pick up a badly needed three points.