Whitchurch United 1–0 Andover Town

This was a much improved performance from Andover Town and they were unlucky that their efforts were not enough to earn at least a point from this first local derby of the season. For long periods they dictated the game but finally succumbed to a goal that had more than a suspicion of offside attached to it. Town made two changes to the side that started the cup tie two days earlier. Goalkeeper Kieran McHardy was unavailable and was replaced by Brendon Norris whilst Ethan Benham came in for Salomon Mawo had not recovered from the injury he picked up against U.S. Portsmouth.

Andover started the match well and Daniel Burrows was by far the busier of the two goalkeepers. He did well to keep out long range efforts by Josh Bertie and Jake Watson and would have breathed a sigh of relief when Benham lofted Bertie’s cross over the bar. Almost thirty minutes had gone before Whitchurch had their first real opportunity but Kieron Fuller ,with only Norris to beat blazed over the bar.

Half time - Whitchurch United 0-0 Andover Town.

Early in the second period Andover missed another chance before Whitchurch dragged themselves back into the game. Norris made another good save as Andover were forced onto the defensive as a Whitchurch attempt hit the base of the goalpost. Whitchurch had the slope of the pitch in their favour and whilst their play was promising they failed to take full advantage. Finally with just over twenty minutes left the deadlock was broken. A long free kick was hit deep into the Andover area. It was not completely dealt with and the ball ran through to Fuller to score from close range. The assistant referee kept his flag down and the goal stood but Andover and their travelling faithful felt that justice had not been done. During the closing stages the home side never looked like adding another while at the other end there were a couple of half chances that could have gone either way. Andover are still work in progress but the signs are there that an improvement in their fortunes are not many games away.