Andover Town 1–0 Ringwood Town

On a remarkably firm looking pitch despite days of heavy rain Ringwood were today’s visitors to the Portway with Andover looking to bounce back from a heavy defeat last time out to Clanfield.

The home side started brightly and as early as the 5th minute number 7 Joshua Ngombi fired a fierce cross shot across the face of goal which just missed the far post. The game then settled into an even contest with end to end action. The first of several yellow cards came in the 20th minute when Will Hughes was unceremoniously hauled down by number 10 Ethan Fishlock. As the half-progressed Andover were certainly a much better proposition than last week, they were moving the ball crisply and making several incisive passes. Moving towards half time Town edged the first half without many clear scoring opportunities.

Half time score 0-0.

Again Andover started the second half very purposefully but Ringwood were always likely to inflict damage with swift counterattacking. And in the 51st minute they had a huge opportunity to open the scoring but totally unmarked Fishlock fired over from 12 yards out. Town continued to press and had a great chance in the 63rd minute when Malachi Johnson blazed over from 15 yards out. But the deadlock was broken in the 69th minute when sub Jacob Beatson slotted home after moving onto a nice through ball into the penalty area. Andover Town Youth Team graduate Beatson then showed a lot of skill and ability as the half wore on. In the 82nd minute the best move of the match saw number 12 Kieran Daz-Benitez fasten onto a cross from the left and it looked a certain goal until the Ringwood keeper somehow managed to palm the shot away. The old adage that 1-0 is never enough was certainly more and more evident as the clock ticked on towards the 90th minute. Indeed in the 93rd minute there was a heart stopping moment when it looked certain Ringwood would score when they broke away and somehow fired over from close range. But that was that and Town managed the game out to record a welcome victory, especially after their recent disappointments. Final score 1-0 to Andover.

A real tonic with the win today, Town played with great commitment and numbers 1-11 showed real determination to hold on to the victory. Let’s hope this is the start of a turn around for the season. No match next Saturday and we are next in action on Saturday December 2nd when we travel to the island to face East Cowes Victoria, kick-off 3pm.