United Services Portsmouth 5–2 Andover Town

Andover Town travelled to Portsmouth to play their mid-week match with U.S. Portsmouth. They had a good start, pushing the play forward into the Portsmouth half. Unfortunately a change of play saw the Portsmouth's Paige kick the ball over the Andover goalkeeper Tasker's head and score the first goal of the game. The game then went onto equal footing with the ball being played between the two halves, seeing Andover have two attempts at goal and Portsmouth one. Portsmouth's Selden then played the ball from half way, through the middle of the field. Luckily the Andover defenders stopped this run of play, and after a tackle a free kick saw Andover’s Josh Bertie take this quickly, kicking the ball over the back of the field, out of play. The run of play then again became equal with the ball passing to Andover’s Shaquille Gwengwe, who took a shot, which unfortunately landed in the Portsmouth goalkeeper Hunt's hands. Clearance from a Portsmouth free kick gave another goal scoring opportunity to Andover which the Linesman deemed offside, after pressure from the Portsmouth players. Quick play from Portsmouth from this saw Andover’s Brendan Holmes completing an ordinary tackle on the Portsmouth player, which the referee believed was a penalty, and iit was converted putting the score line at 3-0 to Portsmouth. Again Andover go on the attack and an attempt at goal by Andover’s Jordan Ragguette again went straight into the Portsmouth’s Hunt's hands. Substitution at this point for Portsmouth Potter who is replaced by Franklyn. Andover then went on the attack and being determined to get a goal a superb kick from Jordan Ragguette gave them their first goal making the score 3-1 to Portsmouth. Two yellow cards are then given one to each team, and run of play is given to Portsmouth after an unfortunate goalkeeper kick finds itself off the pitch. Andover then took the ball, moving it fast up the field, Andover’s Owen Trapnell kept the ball in play, giving a corner to Andover, which missed the goal.

Half time - U.S. Portsmouth 3-1 Andover Town

The second half started well for Andover with a free kick over the Portsmouth goalposts. The subsequent goal kick took the ball straight into the Andover half, giving a fourth easy goal for Portsmouth. Andover quickly regained possession of the ball and Andover’s Josh Bertie shot, which regrettably went straight into the Portsmouth's Hunt's hands. Portsmouth then took the ball and good defence by Mark Keogh kept the ball from going into the Andover goal. Portsmouth then started pressing hard and Andover defenders were having to work hard again and with the Linesman ignoring a call of off-side by Andover allowing Portsmouth to score a fifth goal. Andover were on the ball but a missed opportunity then led to the Andover goalkeeper Dave Tasker making a brilliant save to keep the score line at 5-1. Portsmouth substitution Quirke replaced Snelling. Run of play allowed Andover’s Josh Bertie to take the ball into Portsmouth half, pulling up with what looked like a hamstring problem. The Substitution for Andover is delayed and Andover continue the match with only 10 men on the field. Andover substitution are then made with Ross Belbin and Simon Woodley replacing Josh Bertie and Nathan Lunness. Foul play by Portsmouth saw Andover‘s Lewis Wakeford taken to ground harshly but no booking is given by the referee. Portsmouth then try another attempt at goal which is cleared by Andover’s Owen Trapnell. Then started another run of play seeing Andover’s Nickoy Pinnock shot, slightly over the Portsmouth goal. A kick from Andover’s Owen Trapnell reached Andover’s Nickoy Pinnock on the edge of the box, to give him his next shot at goal, scoring Andover’s second goal of the game. Final substitution for Andover Shaquille Gwengwe came off, replaced by Sam Mills. Late spurt by Andover saw two quick unsuccessful attempts at goal, leaving the game 5-2 to Portsmouth at Full Time. A good game for Andover, which would have given a much different score if the Andover attempts at goal had found the net.

Man of the Match – Mark Keogh