Cowes Sports 3–5 Andover Town

The final score would tend to suggest that this match was a thriller but in reality it was more like the curates egg, good in places. With results else where going their way Andover Town now lie second in the league table behind Blackfield and Langley with three games in hand. The games main highlights were a seven minute spell leading up to half time when Andover scored three times and a second hat trick of the season for Zach Glasspool.

The games early stages suggested that the match would develop into a close encounter. After Kieron McHardy dealt with a promising first attempt on target by Cowes. Andover took the lead just past the twenty minute mark. McAulie Stubbs sent over a cross from the right which was touched on by Glasspool to Reece Rusher who calmly scored from close range. The Cowes reply was swift as within a minute Andover gave away a penalty and John McKie sent McHardy the wrong way with the spot kick. Cowes were always a danger going forward but it was Stubbs and Glasspool who came nearest to scoring. The Referee was not helping the flow of the game being over zealous with some decisions that were to say the least debateable. However, this did not effect Andover too much as they turned the match on it’s head with a purple patch just before half time. First Zach Glasspool’s perfect header at the far post from an equally perfect Mike Gosney cross put Andover in the lead for the second time. Shortly after that goal, Zach Glasspool then received the ball with his back to the goal, he turned one way, his marker went the other giving him time and space to pick his spot for the third Andover goal. The fourth goal arrived a minute before the interval as Mike Gosney put in his application for goal of the season with a twenty five yard volley that left the Islanders goal keeper rooted to the spot.

Half time - Cowes Sports 1-4 Andover Town

The second half started badly for Andover as Cowes were awarded their second penalty of the afternoon when the Referee decided that Harry Dye was upended in the area. From the stand the decision seemed harsh and Liam Hibberd and Joe Chamberlaine were cautioned for protesting the decision after which McKie again converted the spot kick. For the next fifteen minutes or so Cowes kept Andover penned in their own half. Liam Gilbert cleared off the line and twice Kieran McHardy saved well to protect Andover’s lead, before the visitors worked their way back into the game. Six minutes from time Cowes failed to deal with an Andover corner and Zach Glasspool fired home to complete his hat trick. Indeed it was what is recognised as a strikers perfect hat trick,namely a goal scored with each foot plus a header. In the final minute Max Draper scored the third goal for Cowes to give the final result a degree of respectability. Andover Town now travel to Lymington on Tuesday evening full of confidence to face another unbeaten side.