Andover Town1–2○AFC Portchester

Andover Town were left to rue their mistakes as a missed penalty cost them dearly in their midweek game against Portchester. A second late penalty converted by Alex Dockree wasn’t enough to equal the scores, as The Town took no points from the match at the Portway, losing the game 2-1. After progressing in the FA Vase against Fairford, where they are now due to face Croydon in the second round, Andover were unable to take this form into their Wessex League fixture, and were behind early on. After Nathan Kirby was seemingly tripped just inside the penalty area, Portchester took the lead early on, as Striker Kirby slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to put Town on the back foot. Neither team looked to be testing the others defence throughout the first half, but it was Portchester who came closest to doubling their lead midway through the first half. After a wayward ball by Chris Onoufriou, Miles Everett was able to pounce, and his pass to Dale Mason put him the perfect position to score, had he not been deemed to be offside by the linesman.

Both teams battled for possession in the beginning of the second half, and Andover were given a chance to equalise in the 70th minute after Zach Glasspool’s turn inside the box caused him to be fouled by Portchester Full Back George Wells, with the referee pointing to the spot. However, Town continued their bad run of penalty kicks, as Chris Onoufriou stepped up to take the kick, before sending the ball over the crossbar. Andover were made to pay shortly after, when Portchester increased their lead to two goals with ten minutes to spare. As the ball fell to Josh Warren after a well worked corner, it gave the centre back a great opportunity to strike, beating Town keeper Jared Hixon at his near post to add to Andover’s woes. In the dying seconds of the game, Andover were able to pull a goal back from the centre spot. After an impressive run by Callum Sweeney, the onrushing Portchester goalkeeper slid in and knocked the Town striker over, giving the home side a chance to reduce the deficit. Alex Dockree fortunately did not miss for Town's second penalty of the match, sending the ball into the bottom left corner. Town almost took a point from the game after a last second corner was nearly bundled in on the line. After the ball was played in, a scramble in the goalmouth left the Portchester defence to clear the ball off the goal line in the last attack of the game, and to maintain their lead and to take 3 points from the fixture.