Sparkling Diamonds

Andover Diamonds bounced back from a disappointing defeat at Newbury to thump 8 goals past mid-table West Wilts. A hat-trick from Mike Boyne and goals from Glyn Hacker, Andrew Thomson, Chris Fry, Greig Taylor and Lance Mitchell saw the town side secure the 3 points that gets them within touching distance of the 3 teams above them in the table.

Diamonds started brightly, pressing West Wilts defence at every opportunity and not allowing them to settle. The home side were dominating possession in midfield and creating chances for the forwards. Andover took the lead on 5 minutes when a precise ball from Greig Taylor found Mike Boyne in the D and his first time shot beat the West Wilts’ keeper. Glyn Hacker doubled the lead 5 minutes later when his lifted shot from the edge of the D beat the keeper for speed burst through the net.

As is their habit of late, the Diamonds took their foot off the gas and some casual defending allowed West Wilts to pull one back. The 2 goal lead was soon restored when Andrew Thomson finished from close range but then a lack of concentration presented the visitors with another opportunity to get back into the game. A ball from deep defence found its way to their unmarked forward and he was up-ended by the Andover keeper, Dave Rutherford. However, he redeemed himself by saving the penalty stroke.

The half time message was to keep concentration and attack with speed and width. Clearly the message got through as the home side slotted 5 unanswered second half goals. Mike Boyne got the ball rolling, finishing off a slick passing move in midfield between Glyn Hacker, Andrew Thomson and Richard Hoo. Next up was Chris Fry who found himself free on the back post to fire home from close range. Greig Taylor made it 6, deflecting in a cross, Mike Boyne completed his hat-trick when his shot was deflected over the prone keeper and Lance Mitchell rounded off the scoring slapping in a cross from the right.

A fantastic team performance but the Diamonds will have to be at their very best when they travel to Chichester next week.