Andover Town0–4○Downton

This match promised to provide the first points of the league season for Andover Town. After an exciting game last Monday, which could have gone either way, there were great hopes for the result this Saturday. Downton forced some individually inspired play by the Andover defenders and keeper, unfortunately none of the home sides attempts on goal were as successful.

Downton started in attacking mode. Both Declan McGregor and Louis Randell had early chances, the first of which was set up by Charlie Copper who continued throughout the match to prove too fast and well placed for the Andover defence. Andover’s first chance came in the 6th minute, as the newly signed Cole Oates managed to work the ball near to the Downton keeper Lewis Gunstone-Gray. The home side followed with a quick succession of free kicks near goal taken by Josh Bertie. The second of which buffeted the top of the goal net, unfortunately from the wrong side, as both teams defence and forwards could only stand by and watch. There was a short spell where Downton found themselves in offside positions over and over again. As they found the correct pace and aligned that with the Andover defenders they were able to start creating more dangerous opportunities. Kieran McHardy was challenged on many occasions and the score could have been a lot higher if it hadn’t been for some remarkable saves. The first of which was only 17 minutes in when Shaun Prentice made a solo run and found himself one on one with McHardy. He launched the ball in an attempt to clear McHardy’s head but the home keeper had narrowed the angles to only leave a small window to aim at, so the ball ended up within an easy reach for him. The play was fairly even at this point with Cooper causing problems for Andover at one end and the Town having half chances with Nickoy Pinnock and Oates at the other. Nearly half an hour into the game Cooper finally gained some reward for all his efforts and another one of his accurate crosses found Prentice with an easy shot on an empty goal. Then, in an almost identical scenario, Cooper set up Tyler Rutten, this time McHardy was able to stop the shot. Only minutes later Cooper found himself with his own chance to score, but McHardy came out to meet him which left less of a target to aim at, and the shot was saved. Downton continued to put pressure on the Andover defence to the point that when Daniel Telfer passed a ball across it was put in the back of the net by a home player in his attempt to clear away from goal. Just minutes later McHardy appeared to make a fantastic save. However a goal kick was given and the home supporters complained vehemently that a corner hadn’t been awarded to allow the save to be attributed to their keeper who was putting in a cracking performance. Shortly afterwards Downton were awarded a corner for a subsequent move just before the halftime whistle. It was a very well placed kick which gave Liam Dance every opportunity to score, which he did.

Half Time Andover Town 0 - 3 Downton

In the first half McHardy was able to demonstrate some special play and in the second half Nathan Lunness did the same. He was a solid figure in defence looking experienced well beyond the limited play with the club to date. The first 15 minutes saw Andover play with a fire not seen before by this team at the Portway. It looked like they believed they could turn the game around. Brendan Holmes had a shot which went wide and Jordan Ragguette ran relentlessly down the wing beating whichever defender was assigned to him. McHardy carried on his great play from the first half as a one handed save from a shot by McGregor added to his repertoire. Downton were not allowed the same freedom in the second half they had been afforded in the first with the most remarkable play coming from Andover. Ragguette finally had his own shot on goal which was on target but Gunstone-Gray was able to save. As the game came to an end Lunness was involved in a clash of heads in the penalty area in one of his many clearances through out the game. Both he and the Downton player needed attention and whilst they were both getting back into play Prentice took a shot at goal which cleared the unprepared home-side defence. Despite the score there are still clear signs of improvement from the Andover new side. Individuals are providing inspirational performances and it wont be long before all the hard work pays off and the wins start to happen.