○AFC Shirley1–0Andover Town

A speciator's view from Martyn Jones ................

More of the same ?

As sure as day follows night so Friday swings sround again after the the kitchen of fire and loosing the kitchen sink at the nags, the evening found having a close eye kept upon myself by the Better Half. One takeaway and several wobble pops later the tension eased as the evening passed without incident.

Saturday morning found us once again battling the self service checkouts. A plan will be formed for these devil devices.

Several hours later found us at Lords cricket ground watching the hundred a very enjoyable day apart from the wife insisting it is only right that as navigator she should be paid in champagne out of my pocket money. I am now fiscally challenged until pay day. The drive home found Sally Sat Nav having a few slow moments and a few tense moments between captain and Navigator but we survived trial by driving through London.

The cricket took the edge of lack of Saturday football and I was thus able to survive Sunday until Bank Holiday Monday.

With refreshments packed, fuel checked, AC on and the massed ranks of the blue army collected. A short trip to Shirley found us at a new ground to place in collection. A quick chat with the ref and also pleasantone with the league secretary whom congratulated on following the mighty Town.

The pitch as most this year represents more a dust bowl than lush grass, with the ground solid and bobbly control along with accurate passing was going to be tricky.

Kick off came with a nice surprise in the form of Owen Trapnell roaming the midfield in front of the back 3.

The game surprisingly found us on the front foot although it took us 8mins to carved out a good chance with Ryan Morgans being denied and then the rebound hitting the upright. Corners were had chances went begging still the Town could not find away through. A rare Shirley attack found them striking the ball firmly over the bar. With Owen Trapnell directing traffic and putting his foot through when nessacery and out Number 4 ( eorry fella forgot your name) we looked solid.

Half time found us at 0-0 and looked good for it. Changes were made for both sides with Will Hughes coming on Owen Trappnell and Shirley bringing on 3 absolute units. Mutterings on the terraces of this could change things.

Change things it did with our midfield screen diminished we began to get penned in our own half on 52mins Shirley scored how? No one know really knows the ball just seamed to trickle over the line. The Town was behind not for the first time this season. After a rare attack Town got a corner swung over by Ryan Morgans a beautiful skimmed head by Luke Holden just in front of the near post only for the chance to go begging Shirley cleared with a long punt into the Town box (keeping it simple) with our keeper having to make a save to keep us in touch. Another corner for us saw almost the same result our shooting boots looked like once again left at home, although give Shirley their due how they missed an opportunity to go 2 nil up only Bruno Fernandes will know.

With Town receiving a couple of injuries breaking up play. Ideas seamed to fizzel out and one nil it stayed. A disappointment in the end but hope going forward. Man of the match was Number 4 (nope still can't remember your name), good work fella.