Andover Town 0–3 Newport (IoW)

A thoroughly gloomy afternoon at Portway with relegation confirmed for the first time ever since Town were reborn in 2012. Newport (IoW) were the visitors and Town were hoping that they could at least avoid finishing rock bottom of the league if they could match the score of Aldermaston today. Both teams gave a standing ovation to the Newport keeper Gary Streeter who was playing his last match after 25 years of goalkeeping duty for the Islanders.

On a remarkably still afternoon the pitch looked in great condition at kick-off. Both teams started quite brightly and play flowed easily from end to end. Quickly Town forced a succession of corners which didn’t come to much and in the 15th minute Newport broke the deadlock when number 9 Parsons evaded a couple of defenders and fired in a low shot to make the score 1-0. Unfortunately this followed the pattern of a whole list of matches this season when Town have gone behind early on which as on so many occasions has put them on the back foot which they have rarely recovered from. But Andover were pressing and in the 20th minute Jake Parton was through on goal but his shot was comfortably held by the veteran keeper Streeter. Will Hughes was looking sharp for Town and his trademark surging runs from midfield were much in evidence as the half progressed. As the half wore on both teams were pushing forward without creating any clear cut chances. Half time came with the visitors still leading by a single goal, score at the break 1-0 to Newport. And on balance there wasn’t much to put between the two teams.

The second half continued much as the first half ended with both sides trying hard to score. Sadly Andover’s Diaz-Benitez unceremoniously upended the Newport number7 Butcher who easily slotted in the resulting penalty to make the score 2-0 in the 53rd minute. Still Town were looking to break through and their approach play was pretty good without ever finding a real scoring opportunity. But a free kick on the edge of the area produced the goal of the game in the 65th minute when number 8 Oatley hit a superb free kick from 25 yards out which flew into the net. Score now 3-0 to Newport. Then the islanders relaxed and comfortably controlled the match. Andover’s long tenure in the Wessex League in both the Premier Lague and Division 1 ended with the score 3-0 to the visitors.

So an enormously sad day for Town with relegation and with Aldermaston drawing it meant that Andover finished very bottom of the league. It’s not that long ago they were flying high and earning promotion to the Southern League. The undeniable fact is that Town never had players this season who were good enough to compete at this level. No faulting their effort and commitment during the season which must have been so soul destroying after enduring defeat after defeat. Andover’s goal difference after this last game was negative 108 which is 46 goals worse than the nearest team.