Andover Town1–1○Hedge End Rangers

Strange Times

Last week saw the departure of Rachel (niece) back home to Derby so things are returning to normal in the Jones household. Feels strange only one of us trying to destroy the kitchen (glad you finally admit it - Ed.). Still life rolls on. Jobless is happy since I got a new pair of shoes, as she has a new box to stare at me from. Since the weather has turned nice some days Jobless has been gardening, well, looking after her catnip patch anyway. Must be nice to sleep in the sun if you have the time.

So after missing the cup game at Meon Milton, Gary the Gateman (nice early mention Gary for you) said was an entertaining match and a win albeit on penalties we are Wembley bound or at least Baffins Milton Rovers bound, it was a return to The Portway for midweek fun or not only 90 minutes plus injury time would tell. With a weather warning in place from the Inland Fishing Forecast –The Portway—Gales expected, strength 3-5, lashing rain just after half time, visibility moderate, suggest big coat. With warning heeded it was off to the taxi rank for Blue Army Alan to pick me up, a short trip to Salisbury to pick up Opera Cliff, then on to The Portway ready to annoy Gary the Gateman and Pas the Barman (honest Pas I pour my own Guinness). With refreshments in hand the remnants of The Blue Army made our way round to The Bank End only to be foiled by the wet stuff looking angry in the sky, so a plan was formed for a tactical retreat and shelter in The Alan Mussell Shed End. Walking past the main stand it was good to see Byrel Carr out supporting the boys on a night like it was.

Places taken and with Town kicking towards The Bank End we had Big Chris Redshaw’s company, although kicking against the wind thoughts turned to maybe we would soon be joined by 20 others, players as well and the ball not crossing the half way line. The first 10 minutes was a tight affair with both sides having a wild shot each more probably to do with the gales than lack of ball control. Hedge End couldn’t really seem to string a couple passes together belaying their position in the league. It was looking to be a tight affair with nil-nil written all over it. Hedge End finally found a bit of space smashed a low drive down to Big Chris right but the Town keeper was more than up for it and palmed it away for the defence to clear. For the next 20 minutes Hedge End must have had as many as 15 corners. Town were penned in, everything they tried to clear the lines just didn’t work. The play was bunched with I think every player having a go at scoring or clearing, Hedge End must have had 10 different corner routines with none coming much to our amazement nothing, mainly due to the heroics of Big Chris as last defence. The back line also comes in for some praise any other game well you know the score this season. With no goals conceded from this run of corners times were indeed strange for the faithful. Town finally managed to clear the ball much to our relief and break upfield to gain a corner of our own. There on occasions I just feel we are about to concede and this was one of them, Town took the corner Hedge End cleared and broke at pace with 4 players running like steam trains towards our goal looking back it was one, an attack of beauty, Hedge End never broke the attack every ball was forward splitting our defence two passes took out our left back a great cross into the near post and one of the worse finishes I’ve ever seen there was nothing good about it came off the forwards knee I think like a sausage roll cooked in a microwave. There was probably 7 minutes left of dread to half time it was just a matter now how many Hedge End would score. Town seemed deflated and the game opened up and the visitors looked to apply some good pressure their No.9 clean through took a step too many and hit a low drive across, that extra step cost him as Big Chris once again came to the rescue with his fingertips. Another shot from a similar position brought the save of the game out of Big Chris only for the Hedge End player to be ruled off side. With that it was soon half time and not too shabby 1 nil down the second half would see us with the gale at our backs to boot. Talk said 3 points in the bag.

Gary the gateman joined us for the second half with talk of us signing a Mo Salah, who he? We looked forward to seeing the same amount of ball as the first half with the gale still howling towards us a gentle kick in the air would almost see the ball in the net or, or see Luke sky it into the carpark. Hedge End stretched the game making plenty of space from goal kicks to their right back who was absolute cracking player receiving and driving the ball forward, Town once again seemed to struggle when the game was there to be had 15 minutes in finally got the ball into the correct half and unusually for us was awarded a corner, swung in bit of a scramble and finally Nathan Lunness scrambled goalwards with Luke Holden making sure it was in reckon the ball had crossed before Luke smacked it, safer than sorry in our position. 1-1 This was it go get them lads! No, it was the wind did not exist for Hedge End and it was miserable viewing for us hardy few, Town found it hard going against a hard working Hedge End we did manage a couple of attacks with Malachi twice shooting lamely and 2 crackers from Luke both how did they not go in, well done keeper there. Hedge End replied with an attack that ended in a certain penalty for the visitors only much to our bemusement turned away their protest, any other game this season. Time was creeping on another attack saw Hedge End gain a free kick on the edge of the box only to blaze wildly over the bar. Editor said cannot be Peter Crouch how about Son of Crouch. So with 7 minutes remaining Son of Crouch well let’s see if he would grow into this game (not funny-Ed.) his first touch was yep, just come on but managed to find a blue, we seemed to take heart and go forward at least into a midfield battle another Luke rasping drive and we reckoned it must have our last chance. A tussle on the left saw us gain a free kick in the Hedge End half, after the dust had settled the cross came in, Son of Crouch headed the ball down and stroked into the back of the net it was a great goal going back across the keeper only for the flag to raised. Off side still 1-1. The decision must have sparked a few words as Ron Bertie was sent to the stands. From then on things got a bit spicey on the pitch but not for long as the ref blew.

Full Time at least we didn’t lose !!

Thanks as ever to the Wife for editing.

Thanks to you for reading this nonsense.

See you all soon Martyn.