Andover Town0–2○Locks Heath

Binocular Football ....

Friday saw me and Editor off to the races at Newbury with the Editor owing shares of horses in the first 2 races of the day both of which lost money for us, well to be fair I was betting with Jobless’s treats money so was skating on very thin ice. Maybe over the next races my choices might improve, nope. Jobless is not impressed and is now wondering if I should be kept on as staff. As day follows night Saturday rolled round again. A quick few texts with Blue Army Alan as to whom was taxi I’m glad he can keep track. So loaded up with genuine Lidl wine gums, Jakemans and other associated non-league survival junk I went to pick up Blue Army Alan. A quick recap of Tuesday’s game to cover the highlights (are you sure?-Ed.) found us at The Fortress Portway, parked up with a short walk to Gate 1 and Gary the Gateman and we’re in, a bit of divide and conquer. Alan went to get refreshments while I done the team board. Teams up, eyebrows raised at Owen Trapnell starting I cannot remember who informed us it was to be his last game. A sad note but on the other hand Owen hopefully will stay on as part of the management team (great picture of Owen leading the team out on The Town website nice one James Charlwood). Inland Fishing Forecast Fortress Portway---Oh yeah going to be hot but cloud over. Best take medium coat just in case.

Town kicked off the ball went back then sideways (everywhere we go sorry Alan) thus ensued 10 mins of a battle between The Town and today’s visitors Locks Heath the ball never venturing beyond our 18-yard box and the halfway line. After 10 mins it got too much, both me and Alan found ourselves taking jumpers and jackets off, that sun was hot. On 20 mins Locks Heath found a way for a shot a smart stop from Big Chris but unable to hold n found him saving again. How often does this man keep us in the game? Considering Locks Heath are top they were making hard work of it. On 30 mins another shot stopped by Big Chris again keeping us in the game, at this point we really hadn’t seen the ball up the right end. Round about 40 mins saw the ball towards us with the ref blowing and giving the ball to the keeper which me and Alan said was a shot on goal for us. The visitors broke a Sam Scanelli clearance saw him receive a boot to head and a nasty gash. After a patch up and a Terry Butcher bandage, play resumed until the half time whistle went.

As we meandered our way to The Alan Mussell Shed End, I commented to Blue Army Alan you needed a pair of binoculars for that half to watch the play. We could only hope for a better second half. A visit and a few words to Club Legend Graham Cousins and onwards to be stopped by The Old Un in the shed complaining about being called The Old Un in the last match report (well find out his name then-Ed.) Past the Ben Emms emergency corner saw us catch up with Gary the Gateman and Beryl in the fine Portway sun, Beryl informed us that her granddaughter (Lauren) had returned to Australia much to Beryl’s relief something about showers and no hot water, well at least you still had a kitchen blind thanks Niece Rachel, but at least we are there for family.

Play resumed and for 15 glorious minutes The Town looked a completely different side, aggressive and the ball played forward (Son of Crouch now playing as a forward) gave us a different dimension within the 1 st min of play resuming had a shot, ok it was between the goal post and corner flag but after the first half we’ll take that. Next was a Jake Parton shot just didn’t quite catch it right enough then Owen from the halfway you got to try at least the pressure was on. We squeezed Locks Heath and it was their turn to be unable to get out their own half a cross shot from I think Dan Grinham went so close. Where had this side been all game, and then s we were thinking we’re going to score Locks Heath broke, a searching ball found their winger who danced along the by-line pulled it back, for their forward, Clark to pop in the net. The Towns’ heads went down we had lost the confidence and swagger yes; it was 1-nil and The Blue Army hoped but in our hearts we knew. A short pass out from a goal kick almost saw us concede a second with our open goal begging, another attack by the visitors saw the ball luckily somehow squirm around the post, finally when we managed to work the ball to goal it was turned over the Locks Heath winger, had a clear run to goal when he was chopped down in the box for a penalty. 2-nil that was that. Owen tried to rally the troops but to no avail. 2-nil it stayed.

Well, thank you for reading if you got this far.

Thankyou Editor for making it make sense

Hope you aren’t missing The Town too much in Australia Lauren?

See you for the last game.

Martyn