Andover Town 5–0 Hayling United

These European Games .....

It’s been a tough week in the Jones household. Poor Jobless we think had given up with the heat not been her normal self although after Keiren’s remarks Tuesday night she seems to have perked up. The Editor has had notice for an operation and I’ve have been on civic duty in Salisbury. So the stress levels have gone up some although on the other hand more kitchen cabinets have been ordered for one to play about with. I’m thinking it’s about time to start on football matters (oh really, thought it was going to be my life story today, so best crack on-Ed.) Blue Army Alan was chauffeur for the day (nice one Alan). A quick trip to pick up Cliff turned into a fiasco as the top end of Winchester road is closed saw us take a diversion to parts of Andover I have never seen. Was glad Alan is an A to Z of Andover. After Tuesday’s performance I was a fair bit optimistic for The Town we had looked promising. A quick word with Gary the Gateman and was in to Fortress Portway, just by the Team board stood a group of Town’s finest Bob, Young Albert, Old Man Bill and a face I recognized but wasn’t sure I knew we shook hands and introduced ourselves it was Webmaster Chris. We have communicated often by text and email over the last year it was so good to finally meet you at last. (Like wise Martyn !! - Chris).

A swift walk to the Bank end, refreshments sourced and kick off ensued (you don’t know who kicked off again do you? And they still let you do this?-Ed.). Town looked to be still on the beach as today’s visitors from across the sea in Hayling got to 2 crosses went across an open goal just needing a tap in only for Hayling to decide they wouldn’t bother a striker today. It was a nervous 5 minutes for The Blue Army Loyal. Lee Morris went down after a collision at the near post and was subbed off, a shame as I had heard good things and was looking forward to some silky left back skills. Then Owen must have had enough and started marshalling the troops what ensued was a Town defence sat on the half way line and for the next 30 minutes Town just peppered the Hayling goal with their keeper not having a good time. New lad Darnell was causing all sorts of problems for Hayling down the left with a great ability when surrounded to wiggle out with the ball or make a pass, also the superpower to get up after a challenge not listen for the whistle and carry on. Another player like this playing in midfield Jack Langdown, with 2 players able to hold their own against 2 or more players which just creates so much space we have a recipe Delia Smith would be proud of. A comment made was in this spell we had more shots on goal than the last 5 games of last season (well what happed for goodness sake?-Ed.). Darnell drove past his man into 18 yard box towards the byline and flashed the ball across the box with no forwards there to poke it in, we’re going to have to be quicker this season. A free kick outside the box from Ben Morris saw the keeper beaten but not the post. Darnell brought down in the box quickly got up gathered the ball only to be brought down again for a penalty to be awarded, Luke Holden stepped up and calmly passed to the keeper. Andover - saved ! Last season would have folded but not this Andover, Darnell Tarley picked a loose ball in the Hayling half and ran solo beating off defenders on the way to goal and saw the ball come to rest in the onion bag to the delight of The Blue Army. 1-nil Town - you bet your aunt we were good for it. At some point an incident occurred with players starting to get heated Owen as our Captain snuffed that out from 10 yards away I just put this in because I know Messi reads our match reports to which I say Messi that is how a captain behaves. The hydration break arrived on 22 minutes, 10 minutes late perhaps the ref was enjoying the game as well. Play continued it was now the turn of the right hand side with Jack Langdown having locked down the right of midfield passed the ball out to Ben Morris, on to Luke Holden who took 2 players with him and clever return pass back to Ben Morris who couldn’t miss. 2-nil and game on. Next up was Luke Holden to tuck one away and probably relieved after missing the penalty. 3-nil Town. Talk was when were we last 3-nil up? And could we hold on? The ref blew for half time much to the delight of the Hayling keeper.

A walk round past the main stand saw a quick catch up with Beryl & Ian Carr along with Owen’s Grandma for once in a long time it was happy talk at half time. Carrying on to the Alan Mussel Shed End complete (where were you today Keith?) we came across one Malachai Johnson now signed to Bemerton a good catch up was had and a night at Bemmy in the future for us.

Play resumed, with Town in complete control dominating the middle third and continually probing for any weakness down either wing. Darnell causing all sorts of problems now on the right with his turn of speed chasing after lost causes making something out of nothing, our forwards are going to have to get their skates on this lad can create. One pass flashed across the goal with no one there to tap in. Then Hayling done the unthinkable an attack which saw the ball flash across our goal line with them having no one there to tap in either. This really upset Owen who bellowed out new instructions. 10 minutes later Town were 5-nil up thanks to Luke Holden and Ben Morris this was a day to remember in the making all those disappointments over the past 4 seasons seem long ago (oh you fickle few-Ed.) it was just pure relenting pressure from Town and a joy to watch. In the 87 th minute Hayling finally tested our retuning keeper Lewis Rothine without getting out of his deck chair plucked the ball out of the air. Ref blew for full time, we celebrated like we were top of the league (you are it’s the first game-Ed.)

Just got to love these European games.

Well thanks for reading if you got this far.

Thanks Young Albert for noting the scorers for me.

And as always Editor for making me sound ok.

Yours Martyn.

See you all Tuesday.