○Whitehill & Bordon2–1Andover Town

Town were away to Whitehill & Bordon this afternoon in an absolutely must win match if they are to have any hope of still gaining promotion. A very picturesque stadium and well appointed and unusually for the Hampshire Premier League with floodlights.

The home side were right at it straight from the kick-off and forced a corner (the first of very many) within the first two minutes. And somehow Bordon kept full pressure on for the first quarter with the visitors rarely able to get out of their own half. Bordon did not look at all like a side in the lower echelons of the league and it seemed a certainty that they would score first. Hard to keep track but a whole succession of corners and near misses as the half progressed. Somehow Andover survived the onslaught and managed to keep the score to 0-0 at half time. Something radical had to happen in the second half if Town were to get anything out of this game.

The visitors seemed more engaged as the second half started and quite against the run of play in the first half they went ahead in the 55th minute. Ryan Morgans seized onto a great ball and smashed the ball into the net from 25 yards out giving the Bordon keeper no chance. The hope was that Town could cling on to their lead and keep Bordon at bay but it became increasingly evident that that would not be the case as the home side continued to press. And in short order they scored twice in the 68th and 76th minute and rarely looked like conceding a goal. Andover pressed forward in the last chance saloon and Jacob Burrows unluckily hit the crossbar in the 89th minute. Bordon then ran out very deserving winners 2-1.

An incredibly disappointing day for Andover and promotion is now a distant dream. The truth is they were second best today in every facet of the game. The next match is away to league champions Colden Common on Tuesday May 6th kick-off 7.45pm.