○Newport (IoW)3–2Andover Town

Warm sunshine on the Island greeted both teams at kick-off and this felt like a game starting in mid-May rather than mid-November. Missing 6 regular starters this was sure to be a daunting prospect facing a team who are already looking like firm favourites to clinch a promotion spot. In particular Town fielded a makeshift defence which it seems was bound to be tested. Owen Trapnell returned from his lengthy injury absence and Ben Emans made his 150th appearance.

This is the only pitch in the middle of a speedway track and Newport certainly made a very speedy start causing problems for the Andover defence right from the off. Both wingmen were particularly quick and it was no surprise that a cross from the left found Joe Craig unmarked in the penalty area in the 15th minute to slip home coolly from 15 yards. Newport were pushing forward relentlessly and too often the makeshift defence was caught square and another cross from the left in the 25th meeting found Jordan Browne free in acres of space and he scored easily to make the score 2-0. At this stage there were worrying signs that this could turn into the proverbial cricket score. Fortunately Andover momentarily stopped the rot with a quick counter from Ben Emans who cut in from the left and in the 30th minute slid the ball under the advancing keeper to make the score 2-1. This though was to be a false dawn because Newport just kept surging forward and making several chances one of which brought an outstanding save from Steinborn-Busse to acrobatically tip a certain goal over the bar. No surprise then that the Town defence was breached again in the 34th minute when number 7 Kelly capitalized on another defensive mistake to make the score 3-1 to Newport. The first half drew to a close and it certainly had been a chastening experience for Andover as their defensive frailties were frequently exposed. Half time score 3-1 to the home side.

Hopefully the second half would see an improvement for Town and that certainly seemed to be the case in the 49th minute when Brendan Holmes picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and scored with a terrific shot from 30 yards which arrowed into the top left hand corner of the net giving the keeper no chance. With the score now at 3-2 this somehow galvanized Newport back into action and they almost scored again in the 60th minute when number 7 beat the offside trap and shaved the outside of the post. Andover were certainly playing with more spirit as the second half progressed and were unfortunately not awarded a penalty in the 68th minute when Emans put through substitute Gerwyn Griffiths who was then hauled down in the area which VAR would have reviewed and given the penalty. Interesting to note that father and son from the Griffiths family were now Andover’s striking partnership. As the final quarter of the game progressed Town were playing with much more energy and were Increasingly making Newport having to mount a stern defence. Indeed at this stage the Newport twitter feed said there were racing hearts in the ground as the home team held on for the last 5 minutes. Their defence though held firm and the game finished at 3-2 to the home side.

With their patched up side Andover performed very creditably in the second half and could have forced a draw . They played with spirit and effort which was commendable. Hoping to get back to winning ways the next match is against Amesbury Town at Portway next Saturday November 19th kick off 3pm.