WESSEX LEAGUE DIVISION ONE
SATURDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2021
VERWOOD TOWN 2 ANDOVER NEW STREET 3

This game proved we are consistent in inconsistency. We’re like a yo-yo.

For the first 15 minutes we played well and should have picked up a couple of goals from good opportunities. We failed in front of the sticks. Andover defended in depth but we still broke through on numerous occasions but couldn’t convert.

ANS relied on counters in these early stages but ran into a solid looking defence.

Coopers free kick in the first minute was headed just wide of the post by Burt. A minute later Hall slipped a ball through ANS back four for Osman to run clear. The keeper did well to block the run. It was a repeat performance on 11 minutes as the keeper again blocked an Osman effort.

We then deteriorated. Passing accurately was an art forgotten and our back four plus Maher were playing against 17 !!

Burt was booked for a heavy tackle and will miss the next three matches.

ANS pushed us back. Elsom Watkins and Webbers pace at the back was crucial.

On 27 minutes a cross into the box was palmed down by Maher but a simple tap in from an unmarked forward made it 0-1.

Watkins had to come off with a hamstring pull and on 30 minutes Lister took over the Watkins role. We appeared heavy legged. ANS were now enjoying more possession.

We lost the ball in the middle of the park with 8 minutes of the half remaining and a swift counter caught us cold. A run went unchecked and Maher’s’ dive was a despairing one as the score board altered to 0-2.

Half Time 0-2

Could we get back our early start qualities ?, no. We lumbered along under pressure and ANS continued their push.

10 minutes gone and Vining came on for Osman.

12 minutes of the half gone and after several free kicks we gave one away 30 yards out. This time we lost covering abilities and the ball was tucked into the net 0-3. We looked lost.

Webber and Lister were under pressure from the flanks as ANS switched play. The middle of the park now belonged to ANS as we dropped deeper. It was like the Alamo.

Evans replaced Cooper on 18 minutes with a shift in formation.

Davies had been closely marked throughout but had not had the service required to provide a threat. There was now a glimmer. Likewise Kelly had been tightly controlled.

31 minutes gone and Davies finally shed the shackles and cutting across the box fired an unstoppable shot past the keeper 1-3.

5 minutes later Kelly found space and hit a screamer to make it 2-3. Good goals giving a massive lift to confidence.

Evans was finding his feet working alongside Davies and we had ANS on the defensive.

Christer Warren decided to go for broke. We pushed up. Burt joined the front line. We had a thin defensive shield but with Elsom Webber and Lister holding the line we survived the counters.

Kelly’s volley whistled wide with 3 minutes remaining and then Vining shot over the bar from the edge of the box.

It was a grandstand finish but Andover ran off with the three points.

Result 2-3.