Andover Town2–1○Moneyfields Reserves

3 Points Stolen ...... ??

The Jones household this week has been down with a cold both me and the Editor laid up, the type when you really cannot concentrate, the sort where you go food shopping and end up with bed sheets - apparently the colour is approved. In amongst this much to my delight (am sure -Ed.) the Niece Rachel new kitchen blind arrived one day. So Matchday morning found myself practicing world level gymnastics trying to put said blind up - after unspoken words, sweat and tears it was up. Well the wrong way about, up, a cool down and team work with Editor sorted that. I call win.Jobless when awake has settled into her new job of judging my life choices and using Jedi mind tricks to make me open the patio door for her never mind the £400 we spent getting a cat flap installed. Inland Fishing Forecast For The Portway—Overcast - Temperature Middling – Wind Gusting Again Toward The Shed End --- Best Take Big Coat A half hour run about the house saw me still unprepared for Blue Army Alan to pick me for a recreational drive to Fortress Portway, with predictions made and soon forgotten probably nil-nil all over it and we lose this one we’re relegated we entered the ground, words spoken to Gary the Gateman and it was time to see if Pas the barman would let pour my tipple, that was a straight NO! One day. Refreshments gathered and a swift walk round to The Bank End.

With kick off taken, Town found themselves almost immediately on the back foot with today’s visitors Moneyfields Reserves making the most of the wind assistance, although chances were hard to come by for them, with Town’s back line doing a reasonable job without Son of Crouch although we did have his younger brother who did a fine job (don’t you dare-Ed.) lets hope he grows into the game (you did-Ed.). The play was making no headway either way but worse no headway in our half, when Moneyfields won their first corner of the game, normally its 5 in succession then a goal no the visitors done it first time to leave Big Chris sprawling. 1 down on 15 minutes. Things did not look good we know the script from here. Kick-off taken and once again The Town found ourselves under pressure with Big Chris keeping us in the game on more than one occasion, although Big Chris did fail to collect one ball but was seen out of play by Jayden Wheeler. A rare foray saw Josh Bertie flash the ball across the goal but just couldn’t get the angle on it although the keeper was beaten, that was on 35mins, on 40 mins our first real attempt when Josh smashed the ball from the by line, the visitors No.6 stuck a leg out the ball stuck the woodwork and rick-o-shayed away out of the box. It must have inspired The Town as the next attack produced a free kick on the edge of the visitors box. Everything set and Josh Bertie swung an absolute blinder in. I swear the faithful froze for one moment - this is not in the script, we clapped, we cheered, we Nobby Styles danced. 1-1, 5 mins of danger time to half time what could possibly go wrong? Moneyfields kicked off but Town had got the wind in the sails and were sniffing blood and were pressing, now where had this side been for 40mins? The Town’s next attack saw a clash between Luke Holden and Moneyfields keeper Conagham, words were spoken, the ref did not like and Luke was shown a red card. Well that could go wrong. Free kick taken a few passes then half time.

Time to regroup. A roll round to the Allen Mussell Shed End saw us wave at Graham Cousins in the VIP (didn’t talk Graham as I’ve a cold), a chat with old ‘un and Gary the Gateman saw us joined by Beryl and Granddaughter from Australia (start choosing the new blinds now Beryl) trying to warm up in the sun that had broken though. With warm greetings spoken and hopefully a new fan from afar we meandered down to the Ben Emms emergency exit corner.

With the wind behind us but down to 10 men what was to come who knew? For some reason the visitors found their shooting boots left in the changing room the chances coming from them found the Town defence and Big Chris more than equal, even with Big Chris caught out and the goal begging it would not go in for them, meanwhile Town started to find a chance or two threading Josh through only to shoot across goal. When with 10 mins to go Josh Bertie finally got it in the sweet spot passed the keeper and how long it took to nestle in the bag lord only knows. The Town loyal were in dreamland 2-1 up 10 mins to go it could only go wrong? Moneyfields seemed out of ideas although pressed Town were now busy everywhere when Josh broke and lashed an absolute screamer of a cross in to be met by Jake Parton, the ball flying just over the bar. The game was almost breakneck speed with attack and counter attack the visitors seeming to lose all cohesion while Town seem to find a flow. But time ended the ref blew Town were victorious although not pretty it was beautiful.

As a fan thank you !! On the way back Blue army Alan called it “we stole that” maybe but 3 points well stolen. MOTM: Josh Bertie Nods to: Big Chris & Henry Morse So thank you for reading if you got this far.

Thankyou wife for Editing.

See you Tuesday hopefully.