Stockbridge 2–0 Andover Town

Town made the short journey down the Test Valley to meet near neighbours Stockbridge who are sitting in mid table but who have had good recent results against the top teams in the division. So this will be no easy task if Town are to continue their winning run. On a very calm and mild afternoon the kick off came with the pitch looking in perfect condition and with a sizeable crowd in attendance for this local derby.

Both teams started brightly and with the first corner of the match in the 5th minute Sam Scannelli headed just over. Stockbridge were moving the ball around well and came close to opening the scoring in the 29th minute when a mix up in the Andover defence almost presented the home side with a goal. Stockbridge are a physical side and with 5 very tall defenders strung across the edge of the area Town found it very difficult to get through. Both teams were working hard to find a clear scoring chance and the game was very evenly matched. Just before half time 3 successive corners gave Town the opportunity to break the deadlock but to no avail. Half time score 0-0 with the feeling that this game could easily go either way.

Soon after the second half kicked off Stockbridge opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when their corner was not properly cleared and the ball was bundled into the net by Mandigora to make the score 1-0. And as the half-progressed Stockbridge definitely gained the upper hand and it seemed clear that Town would find it pretty difficult to secure the victory. As the final quarter began Town were again trying very hard to fashion a scoring chance without success and their troubles multiplied in the 75th minute when the Stockbridge striker Newbury's shot hit the post and the ball cannoned into the back of the net to make the score 2-0. A red card for the home side’s centre back Brad Read in the 85th minute at last gave Andover a slim hope of equalizing but this was not to be and Stockbridge managed the game out well with 10 men and ended as winners with the final score at 2-0.

So a long time since Town last tasted defeat but in truth Stockbridge deserved the win and however hard Andover tried they never really looked like they were going to emerge as victorious. The next match is at home on Saturday November 23rd against Meon Milton kick-off 2pm.