Andover Town 4–0 North Waltham

The First Midweek match .......

It was a sad start to the week to hear about the loss of our dear friend Graham Cousins. A true legend of the game in Andover from those who knew him over the years. I had a few words with Jobless about Graham in the garden, how he would ask about what she had been up to and we had a moment. So we got the lick-e-lix out and made a mess of ourselves. The new kitchen cupboards arrived Tuesday and are now stacked in front of the sink like a satanic altar waiting for stubbed toe sacrifice (best build them then-Ed.). I was taxi tonight for The Blue Army after waking up just before picking up Blue Army Alan it was an adventure round Andover to pick up Cliff then onward to Fortress Portway. Entrance gained and nice to see James Charlwood stood near the gate chatting to Gary The Gateman. Just by our team board Old man Bill, Bob and fresh back from the World Cup Byll so another good turnout especially for a midweek, with tea hut doing a constant trade up to half time and beyond, thankyou Ladies of the Tea Urn. After putting the teams up it was onward past The Graham Cousins Main Stand to the Bank End to take our places to see if Saturday was a one-off. This season I’d thought I’d try to take a bit more notice (ok, a bit more notice, yep, so who kicked off? Let me guess kick off ensued-Ed.).

So with that, kick off ensued (words fail me-Ed.) with the Town seeming almost to carry on from Saturday where they finished in complete control. The difference is surreal with Jack Langdown in midfield able to drag opposing players, in giving Sam Churchill space to take an extra touch and find a 20/30 yard forward ball, The Town look deadly, when the ball is lost Dan Grinham is there to fight it out and gain the ball back. All the Midfield look up for it in a thou shalt not pass kind of way. In the main any real chance that fell to Town came to Luke Holden although in good position was man marked by a proper big centre back and was stopped (you mean fouled-Ed.) every time. After 28mins The Town had enough as Ben Morris went on a run from the right wing into the box which ended in a shot and was fouled at the same time the ball ending up in the net, with Town players celebrating with Ben whilst rolling on the floor in pain. Ben finally got up for North Waltham to kick off. The Town pressure is almost relentless the only sniff North Waltham were getting were long balls up to their No.9 Oscar Abbot who was closed out at every attempt. 7mins later saw Darnell Tarley who really up to this had been conspicuously (ooo big word-Ed.) quiet, danced through the North Waltham defence and placed it beyond the keeper’s reach. 2 nil Town. With 10 mins to half time last season would have been talk of can we hold on this season could we get another as it was the score stayed 2 nil Town also 2 nil on the card front with Luke finally having enough of the rough treatment and looking like he was personally hurt when the ref called him over. Another for an honorable tackle/trip from behind on the flying North Waltham No.11 by Henry Morse kept the score down that one.

Half time 2 Nil to Town

A swift walk round to THE Graham Cousins Main Stand saw a catch up with Beryl Carr and how nice it was to see a good Town side. Meanwhile Bob was queueing for refreshments (cheers Bob) and so onward to the Alan Mussel Shed End (where are you Keith?) Kick off ensued Andover kept the pressure on, Luke Nulty the left back with exquisite play down the left with sumptuous crosses only for Ben Morris to be caught with a head or foot decision and not making either on 2 occasions. Luke was off and Ryan Morgans on Morris and Darnell swapped wings play continued with Morris just passing everyone to the by-line in the 6 yard box with Ryan screaming for it to be cut back Morris seemed caught in two minds and didn’t really cut it back enough maybe a shot, nah we carry on. I will admit that I did not see the build up for this goal (hey this second half report is better than most-Ed.) saw Young Albert had texted and was rushing a text back looked up as Darnell Tarley was centre of the box and he’s not going to miss from there! 3 nil Town. What happened next was possibly go down as a Can you remember that goal celebration? It was wrong, Owen have words. Next up Ryan after Darnell had pulled the keeper and the defenders to the by-line a cut back to Ryan saw him with only the goal to beat and went premier league straight over the bar, Darnell from a lovely cross headed just round the post, Owen from a corner “If I score I want your Hawaiian shirt” again just round corner, then finally on 84 mins Ben Morris for number four and we were golden but more importantly Top Of The League!!

0Well thanks for reading if you made it this far?

Thanks to Editor for making sense of my musings.

Yours Martyn

P.S. won’t be going to Paulsgrove so now is your chance have a go at the match report and take the

job from me.

See you all next Tuesday for The Old Test Derby.