Andover Town1–2○Portland United

Andover Town’s poor home form showed again as they went down to 5th placed Portland United. With only 2 home league wins all season so far, they were hoping for better things. With Luke Dempsey’s departure to Sholing Liam Gilbert partnered Ross Gregory in the heart of the defence.

Town showed early intentions when a free kick by Santafe was heading for the top corner but was palmed away by the keeper Lillington for a corner. Minutes later Town almost took the lead when a cross from the left found Rusher whose header was pushed on to the post by the Lillington and went behind again for a corner. But the home sides efforts were in vain when they fell behind when Ryan Mckechnie picked the ball up just inside the Andover half and his run took him to the penalty area where he sidestepped two defenders before calmly slotting it past Lloyd Thomas in the Andover goal. With just under half hour gone Portland were reduced to ten men when Jamie Beasley was shown a straight red for lashing out at an Andover player. Andover were given a lifeline to even things up when Craig Blakeman was brought down in the penalty area, but Liam Gilbert’s firmly stuck penalty was too near to Lillington who saved it.

So, at the half time interval the ten men of Portland led 1-0.

The second half started with Andover on the ascendency when a free kick by Liam Gilbert saw Dylan Knight just failing to connect at the far post this was followed by a shot by Santafe that was deflected onto the bar and over for a corner. Town came close again when Rusher then hit the post. Andover finally got back in the match when referee O’Shea pointed to the spot, it wasn’t clear why the penalty was awarded but goalkeeper Lillington received a yellow card. ­­­­­­­­Javier Santafe-vivo (pictured) stepped up to put the scores level from the spot. However, Andover could not find a way past the ten men of Portland who were content to drop back and rely on breakaways this proved successful in the 73 minute when Portland’s Tom Richardson took the ball wide in the penalty area and shot across Lloyd Thomas into the far corner.

So, it wasn’t to be Andover’s day despite two penalties and playing against ten men. They now look to the short trip on the 28th December to play Whitchurch United in the league.