Stockbridge1–4Andover Town

One for the Album---The Old Test Derby-Away

The weather has been stunning this week glad to have been at work and not in a beer garden,

Jobless has mind melded with the railway sleeper that edges our flower bed heroically guarding the catnip. The Editor has franticly been holiday shopping; it was a trip to the chiropractor and a new pair of glasses in between our away match at Broughton and it has been a busy old week. So, it was nice to draw breath Friday afternoon after the buying the small shampoo run. Friday night the text came in that Blue Army Alan had recovered enough to make the visit to Stockbridge a welcome boost to the numbers. Inland Shipping Forecast---Hot Sunny Hot---Until 3.05p.m. then rain and wind (go ahead wear shorts and t shirt and ignore the last part-Ed.) With Blue Army Alan on taxi duty, we set off with me catching him up on the last 2 games, when Alan dropped me some inside information that The Shed End Old ‘Un has a name ‘Keith’ . Parked up and a short walk to the ground saw us head to the refreshment area (oooo shocker-Ed). Whilst waiting to be served happened to solve another Blue Army mystery name in Alice, superfan of Jayden Wheeler. Finally getting to know people you know how it is with us British. Still Alice welcome to The Blue Army. With refreshments gathered it was to the side of the pitch we meandered nice to see us back in Blue a note we just making and what was happening to the Black & White kit bad things hopefully involving fire when we were joined by Keith with mutterings of either this or the grandkids will want a taxi somewhere. With Pas the Barman opposite side of the pitch and Graham Cousins with a young lady to the main stand, we knew if we scored, we would be heard.

Town Kicked off (finally football action-Ed.) with a pass back to Owen then a searching punt up field. Town went forward and stayed there, after trying this tactic against Broughton we wondered what would happen this time around. Well, that was easy at 3.05p.m. it began to rain nice and steady, still at least Alan and Keith had brolly’s. Attacks were formed; chances were made (right at this point just say you really can’t remember much and you’re just winging it-Ed.) play was contested mainly in the Stockbridge half with Sam Churchill and I think Henry Morse doing a good job of mopping up any threat by the hosts. Any shots The Blues had were blocked and crosses met with no one or the wrong place at least we were seeing the ball in the right half. Around 25 mins Josh Bertie had had enough when from the corner of the box he walloped a shot to just inside the far post, The Blue Army went into shock 1nil up away. Play resumed with the hosts now having to chase and The Blue Army wondering when the capitulation would begin. Town seemed to be a different side, battling more with Jayden Wheeler putting some, ahem, well timed tackles in, snuffing out the host’s wing play down the left, when the ball broke forward Josh and Brendan Holmes gave us space and time. And then the fateful moment I looked at my watch with 10 mins to half time surely once just once hold on. With the play now on a more even keel nothing was ruled out until 5 mins to go when the host broke and threaded a ball through a packed Andover defence, past the usually bored Big Chris apart from the wayward back pass and into the bottom corner. 1-1 mutterings of been here before were heard for the next 5 mins until the ref blew up for half time.

By this time the wind had decided to come out to play so in an act of valour it was decided to take shelter under the trees behind the goal, so as the host would be attacking, at least we would be able to chat to Big Chris.

Stockbridge kicked off and found stiff resistance from The Town with Henry getting his head to many of the host long balls, with Big Chris doing his goalkeeper duties on the edge of the 18-yard box, such was the lack of threat from the host. 15 mins in and a cross on the edge of the host’s box found Josh Bertie who fired in a low shot to the corner, we could not believe this, twice we have now taken the lead what else could happen? 10 mins later and Brendan went on a dribbling rampage how many he went round I don’t know but there was either anger or frustration in the run which ended with a smart pass from the by line for Josh to tap home for a hat trick you beauty! 3-1 could a victory away from home be on. Stockbridge tried to come at us with Big Chris’ only worry collecting an easy shot straight at him, at the other end Town gained a corner which was gloriously headed in to really settle The Blue Army nerves 4-1 Town. From this there was no way back for Stockbridge. The host tried but to no avail finally the ref blew. The Town faithful clapped and cheered. After that defeat for the hosts relegation

was confirmed and The Town have a local derby next season. This was one certainly for the album.

Thanks for reading if you got this far, what a day out it was. Thanks to the Editor for trying to make me look good.

Martyn

P.S. this is my last match report this season (believe me there are sighs of relief round Andover-Ed.)

as I’m on my Holidays, if you’re going to the last 2 games give the boys a shout from me.