Andover Town 3–0 Fawley AFC

The opening match for the new season at the Portway ended well for Andover Town. On a day of mixed weather …. wind, sun & heavy showers Town’s second half performance showed their determination for the coming season.

Prior to the kick-off Owen Trapnell was presented with a trophy by Alan Mussell for his 100th appearance for Town – congratulations to Owen ! (Pictured)

The match started with the visitors on the attack but their Connors shot went well wide. With just three minutes on the clock Town’s full back Stamburi went into the book for a foul. It didn’t seem to be a vicious tackle but perhaps referee Fabry wanted to send a warning to the players however, some later tackles went unpunished. Shortly after Fawley were awarded a free kick but Raffatee’s header went over the bar. Town now began to show and Emans was caught offside after a promising build up. This was followed by a corner for Andover again after some good play but the corner was cleared. The visitors gained their first corner after a shot was deflected. The corner taken into a crowded penalty area but Andover’s keeper Hopwood fell heavily and the match was held up whilst he received attention. After sometime he rose and the home side were relieved that he could continue. During Hopwood’s injury the heavens opened and many supporters made for the main stand ! Andover were still trying to find a way through the visitor’s defence but still unable to get the breakthrough. With twenty minutes gone Andover had a free kick just outside the box after Smith was fouled but the resulting kick ended with a corner but to no avail. The game flowed end to end but with neither keeper really being tested. Andover’s Moulding went close with a header but went wide. At the other end Knight for Fawley also went close but his effort went over. On the half hour the busy Fawley winger Mundy broke away and his shot was easily taken by Hopwood. For Andover, Emans was seeing a lot of the ball and after he was fouled, he took the free kick but his effort was deflected for a corner. Play during the latter end of the half was getting scrappy but with both defences on top neither attack looked like scoring. Adams had a chance after a fine through ball but he couldn’t find the finish and his attempt was cleared by the Fawley defender. Once again Fawley’s Mundy was free on the right his cross was well dealt with by the home defence. At the other end Holmes trying to find a way through but his effort was saved by Coombs in the visitor’s goal. The half ended with Andover on top but nothing to show.

Half-time Andover Town 0-0 Fawley AFC

The second half began with Andover quickly out of the blocks. They forced an early corner the kick found Emans after some neat play his shot was well defended and cleared. Fawley began to make ground and the busy Mundy saw his shot straight into the arms of Hopwood. Andover defence was under pressure in these early stages but they were dealing very well with the visitor’s attack. Ten minutes into the half Andover had a free kick outside the box Adams stepped up to take it but his kick went just wide. Pattison was proving a problem to Fawley’s defence on the right. Andover were now on the ascendency and the Fawley defence was getting stretched – then on 57 minutes Pattison’s pace down the wing and his cross found Jordan Smith who scored to put Andover ahead. With their tails up Andover went looking for a second and they looked likely to. However, Fawley had other ideas and unusually Andover defence was slow clearing their lines they were dispossessed and Harrigan’s shot went wide with Hopwood out of his goal. As Andover kept pressing for number two they were awarded a free kick outside the box but the fierce shot by Emans hit the post and was cleared. Andover went close again when substitute Owen’s header just went wide. Then with 72 minutes gone some great play by Emans his cross was duly thumped home by Luke Adams to give Andover a two-goal lead. Then three minutes later another cross by Pattison found Ben Emans who duly put the ball past Coombs to make it 3-0 ! Fawley’s attack seemed to be frustrated as they were unable to find a way through the home defence. However, a rare chance found Andover’s defence dithering and Connors Fawley just pulled his shot wide. The final ten minutes of the match saw Andover still pressing to add to their total. Smith went close as did Owen & Adams. The match ended on a well for Andover, with three points in the bag a good start to the new season.

Andover deserved their win and they played some good football however, they found it difficult to break through the Fawley defence in the first half. Although Ben Emans was awarded ‘Man-of-the-Match’ it was a tight decision as there were others well in contention. Andover now make the trip to Isle of Wight next Saturday to play East Cowes Victoria.