Andover Town4–1○Meon Milton

Portsmouth based Meon Milton were first time visitors to Portway this afternoon with Town hoping to get back on winning ways and complete the double over Meon after their victory in the away match in August.

After lots of heavy rain during the week the pitch looked heavy at kick-off and would surely cut up as the game progressed. Andover started on the front foot and a nice through ball from Ryan Morgans found Callum Reid in the 5th minute who fired just over from 12 yards out. But Callum Reid was soon on the scoresheet with the opening goal on 7 minutes, he moved swiftly onto a through ball and cleanly slid the ball home giving the Meon keeper no chance. Score 1-0. Meon came back immediately and were very unlucky not to equalize in the 18th minute when keeper Redshaw brilliantly pushed a great shot from 20 yards round the post. Town were playing very composed football and were gaining dominance in midfield as the half progressed. In the 38th minute full back Alfie Budd strode up to hit a terrific free kick from 35 yards out to beat the keeper and make the score 2-0. Meon fought back and made the score 2-1 on the 40th minute with a shot from striker Large. Andover shaded the first half to make the half-time score 2-1.

The second half started and a one goal lead is never enough for the home team to sit back and defend. So it was good to see a nice passage of play free up Callum Reid in the 50th minute who coolly scored his second from 15 yards out. Andover then began to control the game and were well on top as the half progressed with almost all the play being in the visitor’s half. And not surprisingly Luke Holden put the game to bed when he hit a tremendous shot from the edge of the area to make the score 4-1 on the 75th minute. Then Town managed out the game comfortably to end their run without a win and make the final score 4-1.

A really good result today with Andover showing the kind of the good form they were on in the run up to Christmas. Next Saturday sees cup action at Portway in the quarter final of the Hampshire Premier league George Mason Memorial Shield. The opponents are league one QK Southampton with the kick-off at 2.00pm.