Andover Town2–1○Downton

For the second time in just over a month Angel Call Handling sponsored Andover Town found themselves completing a match with only eight opponents left on the field. Downton incurred two straight red cards in quick succession and late in the second period had another player sent to the sin bin, leaving little time to return to the game. Andover were without Harry Barkaway and Josh Hewson.

There was a welcome return for Tom Patterson who in the early stages came nearest to opening Andover’s account. During this period Downton’s Ben Starr and Josh Bertie for Andover were denied scoring chances by an offside flag with Bertie’s looking very borderline. Andover’s best chance of opening their account arrived after twenty minutes play. Patterson was cynically upended just outside the area by Goalkeeper Matt Taylor. Subsequently Callum Sweeney’s free kick had Taylor scrambling along his line but the ball drifted just wide of the upright. Around the half hour mark Patterson was again brought down this time by Steve Walker who was shown a straight red card. Four minutes later Paul Guilliver was handed a straight red for an alleged stamping offence. Zac Hind’s subsequent free kick was on target but tipped over the bar by Taylor. Five minutes later Brendan Holmes challenged Taylor for a high bouncing ball and despite conceding almost a foot in height to the goalkeeper the Andover Captain won and his header rolled slowly into the unguarded net

Half time – Andover Town 1-0 Downton

As the second half got underway it became apparent that the visitors would mitigate their numerical disadvantage by defending very deep and rely on a quick break to unsettle Andover. It soon proved effective when Tom Mosley curled a volley into the Andover net. Andover went on to keep the visitors penned in their own half for long periods but failed to create a breakthrough. However. just as the Andover faithful were becoming restless the much-needed seconded goal arrived. Hine made space on the edge of the area and sent in a fierce volley that Taylor did well to punch away but only in the direction of Tom Patterson who fired in to give the keeper little chance. Downton in the second half apart from their goal only had two further chances and with ten minutes left went down to eight with the departure to the sin bin. Andover’s unbeaten run continues but National Lockdown permitting their next three scheduled games will in all probability define the rest of their season.