Dogged determination sees Diamonds prevail

This week saw the Diamonds turn their attention to the final pool game within the Wessex Masters League Cup vs old adversaries Newbury.

A strong Diamonds side dominated the majority of play in the first half but it was Newbury that took the advantage with a breakaway goal against the run of play. No matter how many attacks and missed chances saw the home side end the half a disappointing goal down.

The second half was much more of the same, more attacks, missed chances and breakaway runs from Newbury eventually saw the Diamonds earn a deserving equaliser. Boyne was able to convert from a short corner when the ball was played back to him allowing a simple strike from close range. Newbury undeterred struck again to take the lead when a free hit took a wicked deflection to beat the Diamonds defence.

The game became a frantic end to end affair but the home side seemed to control the midfield more as Newbury appeared to loose shape and discipline. Determined running from Buckley and Fry on the wings and more decisive passes from Hacker allowed another equaliser from another short corner. This time Hoo struck low and hard to slot the ball away to what looked to be a deserved draw to end the game. Not the case when a dogged Diamonds continued to press and a final chance from Boyne again saw him score a well deserved winning goal and rightly received the Man of the Match.

Andover Diamonds will now progress into the knock out stages of the cup which will no doubt see them come up against stiff opposition. This weekend will see the Diamonds host Newbury again but this time in the league. Hopefully a repeat performance will see the first league win of the season.