○Fairford Town1–2Andover Town

Andover Town secured their place in the second round of the Buildbase FA Vase with this hard fought victory against their Hellenic league opponents.

Fairford Town the leaders of the league’s first division were unbeaten since the opening day of the season and had won all their home games conceding just one goal in the process, so on paper at least this match was a proverbial banana skin for Andover. Andover made three changes to the side that started the previous week at Fawley. Luke Dempsey returned from injury, Callum Sweeny was handed his first start replacing the departed Charlie Gunson and Adam Grange came in for Rudy Plummer who dropped to the bench.

Andover settled in quickly and claimed the all important first goal in the twelfth minute. A corner taken by Grange found its way across a crowded goalmouth to Connor Cocklin to head home. Four minutes later Luke Dempsey doubled the scoreline with a low shot again set up by a Grange corner. Andover continued to be the better side but they had to be constantly aware of the threat posed by their opponents free scoring attack. Arguably the games turning point arrived three minutes before the interval. Alex Dockree who had won the ball inside the centre circle when he became the victim of a dangerous tackle by Luke Cordrey and the referee had no hesitation in issuing a straight red to Cordrey. There are times when playing against ten men does not work to a team’s advantage and this was one of them. For most of the second half Fairford made light of their numerical disadvantage and became the dominant side. However, it was Andover who came closest to scoring when Sweeny latched on to Grange’s flick. A goal seemed certain until goalkeeper Ben Mitchell dived full length to scoop the ball of the line with an outstretched hand. A minute later town had the opportunity to put the game out of reach when Grange was brought down in the box. Cocklin took the spot kick but Mitchell guessed correctly and saved well. Fairford then had several good efforts on target the best of which was a volley from twenty-five yards which crashed against the bar. The sighs of relief did not last long as Fairford were awarded the games second penalty, after Craig Blakeman brought down Jake Mulhench and Jack Ellis comfortably converted the spot kick. That strike launched a nervous final fifteen minutes for the Andover travelling but solid defending and some help from lady luck kept Fairford at bay to ensure a place in the second round for the first time in their short history.