Andover Town5–3○Petersfield Town

Despite the miserable weather this Saturday the Andover Town Community Day could not have a provided a more exciting match to showcase non-league football. The game delivered lots of goals originating from a number of well rehearsed set plays, a mind blowing free kick, a penalty and some enthralling front of goal action. Petersfield Town were striving to achieve their first points since last year and the home team were desperate to show they can perform well against teams lower in the standings. This match follows an Andover loss against Whitchurch Utd in a cup game last Tuesday. The game ended with a 5-3 win to Andover Town in front of a good crowd, however the result does not tell the whole story. A late pitch inspection by the Referee gave the ‘good-to-go’ and the match started in bitterly-cold January rain. Andover fielded a strong team still missing the injured Connor Cocklin but with a full compliment of forwards available.

Within the first 2 minutes the home team had already made a smattering of attempts and half attempts on goal and even though the going looked heavy it appeared as if the game was going with league table position. However the first attacking move by Petersfield Town led to McAulie Stubbs bringing down Billy Connor just outside the penalty area and the away team being awarded a free kick. Luke Kendall took the kick which went round the wall and seemed to travel in slow motion to beat Luke Cairney and end up in the back of the net. The goal was completely against the flow of the play but Andover were a goal down and Petersfield celebrated. Before the home supporters had resettled Petersfield were on the attack again. A lightning like run down the far touch line by Kendall led to a Joe Wright tackle to prevent a second goal. Unfortunately it was deemed inside the penalty area and a spot kick was awarded. Andover argued vehemently but there was no changing the official’s decision. Kendall took the kick and scored his second of the game. At this time Petersfield were looking the most dangerous even though they were not having the majority of play. It took Andover nearly another 10 minutes to make their mark on the score line. Mike Hubbard took a free kick not far from the corner post which, after a few across goal touches, found Luke Dempsey. Dempsey hit the ball so forcefully it would have been hard for anyone to stop, so it reached the back of the net. The next period of the game saw Andover making opportunities more akin to their usual play. Jason Silver had a terrific game making chances for George Hallahan playing in the role normally fulfilled by Zach Glasspool, who started on the bench. It wasn’t until a few minutes before half time did any of the opportunities come to fruition when a Mike Gosney cross fed by a Wright pass found George Hallahan in a traditional centre forward position and Andover drew level. However the home team celebration was cut short when Petersfield won a free kick in the same location as their first goal was scored from. Kendall stepped up again and then, to the astonishment of the crowd, put the ball in exactly the same place. It was like a televised replay.

Half time - Andover Town 2-3 Petersfield Town

If Silver impressed with his crosses in the first half the second 45 minutes belonged to Andover’s Mike Gosney. Seconds after the whistle had blown to restart the game a well placed cross from Gosney found George Hallahan once again in the centre spot. All that was needed was for Hallahan to guide the ball towards the back of the net and the game was even once again. Just minutes later Hallahan had another chance which looked like it was in from the stand, however celebrations were premature as it went just wide. A third of the way through the second half Hallahan was replaced by Harrison Gilkes. Gilkes had made his first appearance for Andover against Hamble Club a few weeks ago. After being on the pitch a matter of seconds Gilkes had set up Ben Cook twice and Gosney once in front of goal. Gilkes looked quick and focussed, and in fact nearly scored at the end of the game only to be denied by Luke Eaton in the Petersfield goal. The away team continued to look dangerous on the break and Kendall was clearly not prepared to settle for a draw as he relentlessly chased chances. Andover replaced Cook and brought on their top goal scorer Glasspool. Clearly the home team were not prepared to settle for a draw either. Then in the 78th minute Andover were awarded a free kick from a long way outside the penalty area, estimated at some 40 yards. Gosney stepped up to take and the crowd hoped he would use the opportunity to pass in for a Glasspool classic. However what actually happened was even more spectacular. Mike Gosney launched the ball to avoid the wall and it found the top corner of the net for a free kick which should have been televised and shown over and over again. It was stunning.

Not long afterwards Zach Glasspool scored one of his inevitable goals from an assist by Silver. This combination have proved effective on previous occasions and in this game it was only a matter of time before it would happen again. The game finished with a result that looked like it had been a comfortable win for the home team. But it was hard fought and Petersfield battled to the end with spells of play in which they threatened to outscore the league leaders. But Andover’s winning ways endured.