Stockbridge1–0Andover Town

The Old Test Dery 26/27 Away

Jobless has finally got some employment not exactly making hay but more stretching out and rolling over, when approached on what was once our lawn, which now looks like a hay field. Apparently she will move for lick-e-licks. The Ed. is convalescing after an operation so it is all hands to pump for lowest man on the totem for washing, cleaning and cooking. So with all duties done it was a whizz round Andover to pick up The Blue Army a short trip full of expectation fonds arriving mob handed in good time for refreshments. With sustenance gained and an outside table propagated. A familiar voice was heard asking in accusing voice if we had left Andover Town beer mats in the bar. The voice belonging to “Barman Of The Season 25/26” Stuart finally a name to a face. With more refreshments ordered we swung round to the riverside of the ground. Young Albert, Old Man Bill and a new apprentice rolled up with the “Do you know who has the flag?” flag, after sorting the flag out a familiar face with no name turned up for a conversation and it was Shelia the 50/50 Dealer a name added a friend made. Along with our 9 points and adding names the season was just dandy so far…..

A large crowd saw The Town kick off (oooooh who has been taking notes then?-Ed.) the ball travelled back then forward to Darnell who had one touch then was tackled (more assaulted said Blue Army Alan). Darnell was limping for a good few minutes after that; myself I thought he should think of coming off, the tackle looked that bad. Play continued with Stockbridge managing the game and keeping the ball just inside our half on our right. After 10 minutes I became a bit concerned as Town had not found a way to spread the ball like our previous games Stockbridge were alright just playing the ball on our right and dragging our players into a series of throw ins, fouls and a general game of head tennis. Stockbridge finally broke and with only the keeper to beat fluffed his lines with Lewis making his first save of the season, this was a warning, it would go unheeded 5 minutes later through on goal again with only the offside flag saving us. Occasionally Ben Morris would be able to slip down the wing only for his cross to find no one in the box, we must be quicker. Any ball gathered by the Stockbridge keeper was soon pumped up field for head tennis to start again. Stockbridge pressed and looped the worst cross into our far post to be met with the worst shot pass the worst defending for the worst goal ever I have seen conceded by Town. It was 10 minutes to half time I had been thinking hang on then sort this. For me it just got worse everything bad about last season came back to haunt us balls going astray, easy balls not won, the dreaded pass about at the back it was not fun to watch, still we made it to half time without having a shot which cheered us all up.

The second half kicked off in a bit more positive start with Darnell flashing the ball goalwards only for the Stockbridge keeper to make a wonderful save. This was better, Town were looking better, our trouble was we gave Stockbridge too much time allowing them to pack their defence when the ball came in there were 15 players in the box. With the pitch rock hard trying to control a bouncing ball with players on to you was not happening. Darnell did break free Jack who had a torrid game so far started steaming down the pitch like a freight train. Everyone in the ground knew what was going to happen Darnell would cross, Jack still running like Usain Bolt was going to smack & bells out of the ball for 1-1, the stars aligned the cross came in Jack had his body over the ball and…..and …. and what the, he passed to Ryan? No, no, no, no, no. Many, many bad words were spoken. I knew then we lost. A clever free kick saw Stockbridge almost double their score. More head tennis, and that was it. This hurt, this was The Town of last season one we thought we were rid of.

Thankyou if you got this far.

Thanks to the Editor.

As ever Martyn

P.s. not there for the Lyndhurst away game, so go on give match reporting a go.