○Liss Athletic5–1Andover Town

Town were away at Liss this afternoon in the semi-final of the George Mason Shield. Town have won once and lost once this season to Liss who are pushing hard for promotion just behind Andover in the league with 2 matches in hand. So a tough match in prospect.

Warm and sunny conditions greeted the teams at kick-off and Town made the perfect start in the 3rd minute when a cross from the right from Ralf House found Henry Braggington in space in the area who headed home comfortably to make the score 1-0. Let’s hope this set the scene for the outcome today. The first quarter was an even contest with both teams moving the ball well with good attacking intent. But Andover’s lead was short lived when Liss equalized in the 20th minute with a goal from midfielder Evans. And Liss were growing more and more into the game and not altogether surprisingly doubled their lead in the 35th minute to make the score 2-1 following a goalmouth scramble. Andover were now looking second best and the first half ended with the score at 2-1 to the home side. Town were off the pace for much of the first half and needed to improve in the second.

The second half started much as the first had ended with the home side in control and with Town never really fashioning a scoring chance. Liss were dominant as the half progressed and the Andover defence crumbled in the 55th and 75th minute to give two more goals to Liss to make the score 4-1 with just 15 minutes left. By this stage Andover were looking dejected and Liss put the icing on the cake with their 5th goal in the 85th minute to make the final score 5-1 and move them into the final where they will play Denmead.

So a thoroughly chastening day for Town, easily dumped out of the cup with hardly a whimper. The last 2 games have been worrying defeats for a promotion chasing team and somehow Andover simply have to get back to winning ways pretty quickly if they are to have any chance of promotion. The next match is on Saturday April 12th away against Hook who are now above us in the table and looking a good bet for promotion.