Andover v Surrey Spartans

The game was perfectly poised to be a competitive game as Andover raced into the opening the match of the season with a faultless pre season record.

A windy setting was afoot for the first match of the season in the Hants/Surrey Division 2, but it didn’t prevent the game from slowing down at all in the opening stages. Both teams ran at each other with plenty of pace and energy with chances being created at either end. Spartans arguably had the better chances in the opening play as they began to knock on Andover’s door calling keeper Will Hemming into action which he replied with, with confident saves in his first competitive start for Andover Mens 1s. Andover had their own chances too but it was Spartans who took first blood as a charging run along the base line left Andover exposed and a good save from Hemming denied Spartans at first but it was all for nothing as a an attempted clearance from Angus Haigh in his first game back deflected off Hemming and unfortunately into Andover’s net. 1-0.

Andover responded positively after conceding and some intricate play down the right flank with Liam O’Sullivan linking with Jamie Hacker opened up an opportunity in front of goal for striker Dan Allan who was unfortunate not to put Andover level as his effort struck the upright. But Andover continued with their positive play and attacking mindset, as Half-Backs Brian Eggington and Dave Edwards promoted themselves forward and gained Andover more ground deep into the Spartan’s half where Andover began to set camp for much of the latter stages of the first half. But some more exquisite and smooth link up play from the right flank starting with Eggington who found Ivan Daly with space in the centre of the pitch. Daly sent O’Sullivan through on goal and for a 2v1 for him to send Hacker up on the half volley for which he dispatched venomously through the keepers legs. 1-1.

HT

Once the second half started, Andover came straight out the blocks with fast paced hockey that Surrey Spartans could not match let alone keep up with. Quick transferring between the defence allowed spaces to open up for Haigh and Captain Harry Trott to play into the middle of the pitch where the likes of Jack Trott, Sam Goacher and Sion Roberts could offer lethal deliveries into the D. The next goal eventually came as Andover’s patient play paid dividends when a run into the D was met with a poor challenge from the opposition resulting in a penalty flick, which Hacker released with pace and precision into the bottom left corner. 2-1.

Andover continued playing with confidence and flare, despite a run of Spartan corners. Andover defended bravely, not only keeping themselves in the lead but offering ample chances for Andover to increase their lead, for which they did when a route one ball to the back post, which was likely defended by the Spartan defence allowed Charlie Scowen a one on one with the keeper, at which he rounded him and flicked the ball into the netting. 3-1.

As the game was reaching its later stages, pockets of space presented themselves in the middle of the pitch as players grew more tired, creating space for Trott and Roberts to lead into and drive forward. The home side used this to their advantage and bagged themselves another goal, courtesy of Sam Goacher as his own shot was saved but he managed to act on the rebound and send the ball into the bottom corner. 4-1.

The first game of the season had its challenges but a stronger Andover side deservedly won after a positive second half performance for which they will look to take towards the rest of the season.