Andover Town 4–1 Osborne Coburg

Midweek saw myself and Blue Army Alan on a jolly to Bemerton v Laverstock & Ford, two teams with good support and one with a reputation; if you know, you know. It also being a winner takes all cup game, on the whole was a bit of a disappointment spice, red cards (zero, not enough effort) and crowd size. On the whole Laverstock ran out comfortable winners with former town player Jake Watson scoring the first and looking a very good composed player, for Bemerton one of my favourite players over the years Kimron Quashie who is still able to turn the direction of play loved him for that. With that game in the rear view thoughts turned towards what Friday night would bring and the cunning plan of my wife to keep me out of the kitchen and the house in one piece for another week, a meal at Wetherspoons (we are now apparently regulars) and a night watching an Oasis tribute in Southampton.

With the wife informing me that Shadow (a.k.a. jobless the cat) has now found a job as Chief Security Officer “Aye really what of ? “The bed, 10 hour shifts, makes sure it doesn’t get stolen” And guess whose pocket her pay-packet comes out of ? There is no advantage to being lowest man on the totem.

So Saturday morning found me gazing out the patio doors without Shadow who was furiously guarding the bed with both eyes shut wondering if treats would paid on time. Leaving me to wonder what would happen at the Fortress Portway, little did the massed remnants of the once Blue Army know. After a quick fiasco of writing the team board up (thanks Ian Carr for helping) it was time for me and Alan to ease our way to the bank end, a look at the Osborne Coburg side saw a few of the players looking a bit handy in size.

A bit of a discouragement as so many times this season we have struggled against bigger lads, within 7 minutes of kick off so it proved as an easy ball found its way through the Andover defence for Osborne to score 1 nil Osborne. A comment of “well we know how this ends” was maybe uttered to soon. Town heads would normally have dropped with almost immediately conceding a second goal. But no, Henrik Wedin would have none of it out on the left wing his voice rang out cajoling, telling, asking if this is what we wanted ? Loins were girdled and so a game commenced - was not a game for the faint of heart. So with renewed passion the Town laid waste to a pair of imposing centre backs. Balls were played through and over the running of Jake Parton and Luke Holden with the trickery of Hendrik Wedin was a joy to behold a complete opposite to last week. Although after Ryan Morgans leaving for pastures new Luke Holdens first shot was snatched and saved a little more composed but with limited chances of shots was forgiveable, the chances kept coming for Town with Jake Parton running on to a through ball to smash pass the Osborne keeper that with 25 on the clock right boys keep it tight until half-time we’ll take that. 1-1. No the Town kept coming forward the midfield working hard putting in some great challenges in to win the ball back and snuff out any Osborne attack if they did breach, the defence mopped up it was looking good. A nod goes out to Stephen McCarthy the Osborne left back although out-muscled by Jake Parton never gave up and never complained. One shot partially saved by the Osborne keeper saw the ball bounce out of his hands only to find Luke bearing down on him a 50/50 chance saw the keeper save but receive an injury for his trouble after a bit of treatment all was good but the card marked be quick be certain. Tate Nesome was looking good in midfield with lovely touches sometimes a touch to many as the pace was rapid and space limited although only slight took any punishment and another one not to complain, thinking this debut very impressive although better was to come. A furious attack by Town saw the ball ping about the Osborne box to find itself on the left side of goal a great cross in saw Luke bicycle hit the ball into the back of the net only for the linesman to flag offside what a goal that would have been had it stood. Still the attacks kept coming Jake was subbed the poor Stephen must have been relieved only to come up against Tate Newsum where has this lad been? Calm and skillful with pace a match to Henrick on the left you the midfield winning 95% of balls pushing feeding the them and Luke the Osborne defence was all at sea. The Ref blew for half-time although I really didn’t want the half to end as so often teams do the opposite in the second half and go off the boil.

A wander into the main stand at half time found the Great Graham Cousins for a quick chat always good to see old friends. Second half found us joined by Gary the Gateman always a pleasure at the shed end. Kick off underway found Town once more dominating the attack threat with Luke turning his man quicker than the months on the calendar (soon be xmas) unable to combat this the defender clipped him no malice just couldn’t deal with turn a free kick saw the ball squirm through to the keeper who was put on notice.

Once again with a set of rapid passes and a sweet cross by Henrik Luke found the back of the net for the second time once more to be adjudged off side, a cheeky comment by one of the Osborne back four and you could be forgiven. A nice pattern of play found Tate out on the right wing shrugging off a challenge, put a thumping cross into the box it was a thing of beauty the height, speed and timing demanded that someone put the ball away……..swept forward or dive forward Luke Holden from 6 yards out the keeper stood no chance the ball went in the net so rapid I was wondering if we would have to whip round for a new net. 2-1 Town, we were good for it as well. We hoped, we prayed, we sacrificed wine gums that Town would continue in the same vein we were not to be disappointed, with Henriks directing of proceedings after we conceded and the more we grew into the game other players began talking more communication became clearer, players backed each other, words on encouragement spoken, it was something all too often missing from town long may it continue. A little later I don’t know what happened, after play had resumed, a good clean challenge the ref blew everybody said, think it must have been decent as Samuel Churchill (whom along with Oliver Paris ruled over the midfield) received his second yellow of the game and his marching orders, Town were down to 10 now the test now is would we crumble? No, the players stood firm, the players didn’t care just rolled up their sleeves got on with job at hand 5 minutes later a through ball was ran onto by Luke clean through, last man brought him down. Penalty and a straight red for the offender. Penalty dispatched by Luke Holden. 3-1 Town and numbers even. With more space on the pitch Town seemed to get into a passing groove with passes going to a blue and when lost possession regained swiftly Tate found time to slow down with the ball and pick a pass, once again Luke found himself closing the keeper down once again, once again a 50/50 ball found the keeper injured. Bit of loving sponge and Keeps was up and about. With time ticking down the chances of Luke scoring another hat trick seemed to be fading then long ball over the top skimmed off the defenders head for the ever chasing Luke Holden to smash in the net. 4-1. Well just enough time for Keeper to get injured again in another 50/50 he was proper in the wars but game for it well done fella. Final whistle before the rain come down. Nice one ref.

What a game. Overall a cracking performance all round from keeper to defence to midfield to strikers fantastic, calling for the ball, warning of opposition players, to moving for the ball all top notch today. Man of the Match Luke Holden. Chosen by Gary the Gateman. Well once again if you made it this far well done and thanks for reading.

Martyn Jones.

(Thanks to Pas for cleaning the team line up board (sorry Pas).

Thanks to Wife for techy bits.)