Fareham Town 1–0 Andover Town

Andover Town weren’t able to continue their winning ways against Fareham Town, as they were narrowly beaten in their first away trip of the new season. A debut goal for Andrew Matthewson was enough to build on a midweek win against Horndean, with Town unable to really get into the game until the second half. Andover gave first starts to Ben Simpson and Shane Lock, who had impressed off the bench in the 4-2 win against Alresford at the Portway after an injury to Chris Onoufriou and the unavailability of Luke Dempsey. Goalkeeper Craig Atkinson also made his debut for the club replacing Jamie Bray. Danny Urry, Alex Dockree and Adam Grange also headed an attack which had found success in recent games. Andover had a chance early on when Dockree was able to get clear of the Fareham defenders, but his 30-yard shot rebounded off the post having beaten goalkeeper Luke Douglas. It was Fareham who were able to break the deadlock with their first threatening attack of the game, after a low cross from the bye line was swept in to the Andover net at the far post by Andrew Matthewson to put Town on the back foot. Andover were unable to keep hold of the ball as they failed to capitalise on chances to equalize, but were almost able to level the score in added time when McCaulie Stubbs’ brilliant long shot was tipped away by Douglas to stop Andover from getting back in to the game before half time. Shane Lock almost gave Adam Grange a brace with an intelligent pass, but the winger’s attempt was just wide of the upright as Andover tried to push for a goal, and new signing Lerone Plummer tested the Fareham defence with a low shot through a crowd of players. Goalkeeper Douglas was only just able to reach the shot, but just managed to stop a Town equalizer, with the ball eventually being cleared off the goal line. Substitute Joe Woodward was close to getting the ball in the Fareham goalmouth on the 75-minute mark when his header thundered towards goal. However, Douglas was the hero for the home side once again when he saved the ball on the line to deny Andover once more. Fareham almost doubled their lead late on, but were stopped by Joe Wright, whose goal line clearance was enough to keep the deficit to one. Andover’s second loss of the season left them in 12th place in the Sydenham’s Wessex League Premier Division after 3 games, with 3 points coming from their midweek game against Alresford. Town are due to host Bemerton Heath Harlequins on Tuesday, before their FA Cup tie away to Spelthorne Sports on the following Saturday.