Diamonds come close...again

It was a case of same old story for the Diamonds when they produced another excellent performance but ended up again on the losing side.

Salisbury have held a top four league position for the last couple of seasons & they started the game in a confident manner. Initially Andover's defence had held firm but midway through the opening half, the Home Side scored from a penalty corner.

The Diamonds attempt to get back into the game were initially frustrated by a couple of injuries, firstly skipper Glyn Hacker went off with a muscle strain then Mike Boyne sustained a shoulder injury after being on the wrong end of an overly physical Salisbury challenge. Although Andover were able to regroup they struggled to threatened for the remainder of the first period.

In the second half, Hacker & Boyne returned but were not fully mobile & although Andover were now more threatening going forward they were tiring in midfield & defence. This tiring defence were punished half way through the second period when Andover were caught in possession allowing Salisbury a simple tap in.

As has been their way, Andover never gave up & they pulled a goal back from a well worked attack involving Hacker & Boyne finished off by Chris Fry who flicked home from close range.

In the final minutes, Andover pushed & pushed for an equaliser that their play deserved & it almost came in the final minute when Boyne broke through but their hearts were broken as the Home Keeper got a faintest touch to deflect the ball past the post.