○Verwood Town5–2Andover Town

Severe delays on the A31 down to Verwood resulted in the game starting 15 minutes later than normal. Like Andover, Verwood have had a troubled start to the season, again like An doverpicking up only one win so far. Let’s hope that there would be points available today for Andover. The kick-off saw hot sunshine and a record September temperature of 32 degrees which must be one of the hottest days that Andover have ever played in, it certainly is for a mid-September Saturday. Skipper Trapnell missed the game through suspension having already picked up five bookings this season.

Sadly the defensive frailties which have plagued Andover all season where in evidence right from the start and Verwood were 2-0 up after 10 minutes with goals from Callum McHale and Louis McWilliams. It was just like the proverbial knife through butter as Verwood cut through the Town defence at will. McHale added another goal in the 24th minute to make the score 3-0 to the home side and the first half ended disastrously for the visitors when Ollie Lowes put Verwood 4-0 up on the stroke of half time. Difficult to find a worse half this season and difficult to find a glimmer of hope that a rout could be avoided in the second half.

Surely there would be strong words from manager Bertie in the dressing room at half time. The seemed little hope of getting anything out of the game as the second half started, still in the intense heat. At least though Andover could demonstrate more spirit, more effort and more commitment this half. But in the 50th minute Verwood almost made it 5-0 were it not from an outstanding save from Steinborn-Busse. This seemed to spur Andover on who were certainly now playing better and Malachi Johnson fastened onto a through ball in the 52nd minute to make the score 1-4. Things began to get very interesting because Andover were certainly upping their game and Malachi Johnson scored again in the 64th minute to make the score 2-4. Could there be a dramatic comeback as the match entered the final quarter. Andover were playing with much more cohesiveness and much more energy and although it would be a step too far to say that Verwood were looking rattled the whole tempo from Andover was much better than in the first half. Unfortunately they could not find another goal with Verwood managing out the game very effectively. In the very last kick of time added on Shepherd scored to make the final score 5-2 to Verwood.

Summing up this game is tricky – Andover were truly dreadful in the first half and if that had continued into the second half Verwood would have won by the proverbial cricket score. However the second half performance was much improved and was encouraging but why couldn’t Town have played like they did in the second half throughout the 90 minutes. Andover are already in a dog fight to avoid relegation. The problem is not lack of effort especially from the younger players, it’s just that the quality and ability of players to pick from is just not there – maybe that is because Andover are one of the few teams who are not paying their players. The next match is at Portway on Saturday September 16th kick-off 3pm against league newcomers Cove.