○Bashley2–1Andover Town

Andover Town manager John Robson handed new signing Paul Coventry his Town debut on Andover’s first ever visit to Bashley Road, Liam Gilbert also returned to the team but still without with ongoing injured players Danny Urry, Connor Cocklin, Matt Scott, Chris Onoufriou, Ryan Inskip and others but the club has strength in depth.

The game kicked off and Town almost fell behind in the first minute when a cross from the left found Shane Sheridan but his header went wide of the far post. In the opening minutes a ball into the Town box almost found Kabba Jack but the ball was safely gathered by Craig Atkinson. Andover started slowly but new boy Paul Coventry held off a challenge and managed to get a shot on goal which Joe Coombes in the home goal beat away. With a quarter of an hour on the clock, a shot Liam Gilbert was pushed over the bar by Coombes the Bashley keeper, from the resultant corner Paul Coventry headed over. However, in the 21st minute Lewis Brailey received the ball on the left and cut in to rifle a shot into the bottom left hand corner to put Bashley one nil up. Ten minutes later, Liam Gilbert’s shot from distance was saved by Coombes for a Corner. Just a minute later Town were Level when Liam Gilbert’s well placed free kick from 25 yards out found the bottom right hand corner to level the scores. A foul by Lewis Aimson which earned him a Yellow card, gave Andover a free kick in a similar position this time the kick was deflected by the wall and was looping under the crossbar when it was pushed over by Coombes the home keeper. Coombes was again called into action just before the halftime interval when Craig Blakeman’s header was palmed away by the goalkeeper. Town finished the first half strongly after their slow start and went into the halftime break all square.

The second half got under way and Craig Stanley had an attempt on goal but was wide of the target. In the 52 minute an Andover free kick caused confusion in the home defence and Paul Coventry just shot wide. Bashley had a chance at the other end when Shane Sheridan header was wide, then another chance fell to Sheridan but is shot was easily saved by Craig Atkinson. With just over an hour gone Connor Whiteley replaced Zondi Chunga. A few minutes later Adam Grange was booked. With twenty three minutes left Craig Stanley lobbed Coombes but the home keeper managed to tip the ball away for a corner. However, a few minutes later, Bashley had their noses in front when Sheridan sent Kabba Jack through on goal who went wide of the onrushing Atkinson and slotted it home to make it 2-1 to the home side (Jack’s 5th goal in 4 matches). Then in the 72 minute with Atkinson out of his goal a long rage speculative shot from Bashley went wide of the post. Adam Grange and Craig Stanley switched wings to freshen Town’s attack. Laurence Larbi came on to replace new boy Paul Coventry up front. Luke Dempsey was called into action to block a long range shot from the home side but as the game reached the final ten minutes Andover forced several corners but couldn’t get that equalising goal that their overall play deserved. Bashley substitute Clive Makoni was booked after he had just won a corner for the home side.

Bashley: Joe Coombes, Hugh Dathan, Lewis Aimson, Elliot Head, Brad Morris ©, Chris Lucas, Harry Morgan, Will Heather, Shane Sheridan, Kabba Jack, Lewis Brailey

Town, Craig Atkinson, Mcaulie Stubbs, Jay Jay Tucker, Zondi Chunga, Luke Dempsey, Ross Gregory, Adam Grange, Liam Gilbert©, Paul Coventry, Craig Blakeman Craig Stanley

Referee: Rudi Burton

Attendance: 162