Andover Town4–1○Bournemouth Poppies

Andover Town extended their unbeaten run to five games on Tuesday, 31st January, and now sit comfortably midway in the league table. Bournemouth experienced travel problems and arrived late but the Match referee insisted that the game start at the scheduled time, which left them little time for the pre match warm up.

Despite the intermittent rain Andover got off to a promising start as Alex Dockree bundled the ball over the line with just four minutes played. Understandably the visitors took a while to establish themselves and it was not until twenty minutes had gone that they managed a shot on target.Prior to that Javier Santafe–Vivo shaved the cross bar and a little later his free kick landed onto the roof of the net.

Early in the second half Reece Rusher who had received a knock in the first period was substituted by Shane Lock which preceded a five minute spell during which three goals were scored. The first was Andover’s second by Zac Glasspool with a sweetly struck drive from outside the area. Three minutes later Bournemouth narrowed the arrears with a Penalty which Lloyd Thomas did well to reach but despite his best efforts the by now greasy ball slipped from his grasp. A further two minutes had elapsed when Shane Lock received the ball in midfield strode on and made no mistake leaving the goalkeeper stranded. As the match progressed the rainfall became more persistent but the Poppies were still able to put Andover under pressure. Liam Hibberd cleared a good effort off the line and Thomas made a good save from a deflected shot. Some good defending kept the Poppies out and in the final minute of normal time Adam Grange scored the Town’s fourth to confirm a victory that was not as easy as the final score line would suggest.