○Downton6–1Andover Town

Andover Town travelled to high flying Downton which would be a hard nut for them to crack. They have only lost twice this season which is the second best record in the league so let’s hope that Town can upset the form book this afternoon. A dull grey February afternoon but at least it was dry and the pitch looked nice and firm. Town were hoping to continue the good form which they had showed midweek against Fleetlands only going down in the 96th minute.

Ex-Town player Ryan Griffiths started for Downton and the match began brightly with both sides moving the ball well. In the 10th minute Josh Bertie fastened on to a loose ball on the edge of the area and crashed in a great shot which thudded against the cross bar – a real let off for Downton. The match was even in the first quarter and rather surprisingly Downton opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. From a free kick in a dangerous position on the right of the area the ball was floated over to the far post where it was bundled in by number 9 Joe Smith. But Town continued to press and their first corner in the 25th minute was well collected under strong pressure by the keeper. Downton scored again shortly afterwards when Joe Smith arrowed in a low cross shot into the bottom left of the net to make the score 2-0. Andover continued to press hard for a goal but their efforts went unrewarded when in the 35th minute striker Smith completed his hat-trick by heading in from score range to make the score 3-0. But again Andover continued to push forward and got their reward in the 40th minute Waledin Ahmed pounced on a defensive mistake to slide the ball home making the score 3-1 to Downton. As the half ended Town were again on the front foot but sadly a trip on Smith resulted in a penalty which was converted by number 5 Ryan Osman to make the half time score 4-1 to Downton.

Both sides started the second half positively but unfortunately Andover went down a man with 10 minutes in the sin bin for Daley Reece for over zealously protesting a referee decision. Again play was fairly even but Downton netted in the 63rd scored by number 8 Tom Moseley to make the score 5-1. In the 70th minute it looked like Town had reduced the deficit following a great run and cross from Will Hughes which just grazed the left hand upright. As the half were on most of the exchanges were in midfield until in the 80th minute a nicely executed lob from Tom Rafferty competed the scoring to make the final result 6-1 to Downton.

Downton a very strong team and many teams will go there and come away empty handed. Town tried very hard all the way through and their heads never dropped. No fixture next Saturday so the next match is on Saturday February 17th away at Ringwood Town kick off 3.00 pm