Andover Town1–3○Folland Sports

Andover Town went into this match with hopes of building on their last two successful results but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. With three changes to the team that beat Fareham Town, Karl Steinborn-Busse returned in goal with Jaydon Wheeler replacing Kimron Quashie & Logan Cook coming in and Ogheneruno Agberhiere not available.A perfect day for football in a sunny Portway Stadium with a slight wind and a decent crowd of 104.

The match started and Town were the first to show, Hachem broke through on the right but his effort was just wide of the goal. Then the visitors had a chance after a defender failed to clear and Long took advantage of the error but keeper Steinborn-Busse saved bravely at his feet. Folland continued to press and looked lively in attack. With around 10 minutes gone the Town defence was guilty of failing to clear and the visitors Haylor put the ball in the net to give the visitors the lead. Town did settle and some good football played but they couldn’t find a way through the Folland defence. The visitors were using the long ball out of defence to their wingers to good effect. With 25 minutes gone Steinborn-Busse was called into action again to save from a Haylor shot. The visitors Manuel was causing problems with his ball skills but the Town defence managed to stay firm. Town had their chances with corners & free kicks awarded but couldn’t find the finishing touch. With minutes left of the half a corner taken by Hine found Trapnell but his effort was saved by Juskells for the visitors. The half ended with the 0-1 to Folland.

The second half started with Town showing more urgency a through ball to Hine but his shot was just wide. Then a gain another Town attack found Trapnell unfortunately his effort was also wide of the target. The visitors had their chance when the lively Nyakumbi broke through but Town keeper dealt well with the effort. Then with 56 minutes on the clock Town were level – the ball was in a crowded goalmouth and it fell to Johnson and he scored to much relief by players and the supporters alike. The match was a fiercely fought contest the first to go into the referee’s book was Austin of the visitors for a tackle on a Town player. The game continued to go end to end. However, with over the hour gone the visitors had two chances, first by Austin well saved by Steinborn-Busse and the second by Manuel whose effort was bravely saved at his feet by the Town keeper but he needed attention by the physio for his injury. 69 minutes Town’ Hine was booked, not sure why ? Then a minute later Folland regained the lead as substitute Marcinkowski headed home from a cross on the left. A few minutes later Manuel of Folland went into the referee’s book. Try as they may, Town couldn’t find the equaliser despite their best efforts and then well into injury time around 98 minutes Folland sealed the match with Haylor scoring with a low shot through the Town defence.

Andover, although playing some nice neat football couldn’t find a way through the visitor’s defence and playing against the long ball the Town defence was under constant pressure. Now Town face fourth placed Alresford Town at the Portway on Tuesday 5th September. The opposition have played four and won all four – a daunting prospect but football is full of twists and turns …………..