Stunning but well-earned victory

Andover U12 boys came up against top of league and unbeaten Romsey in their first encounter this season. Despite Andover sitting at the bottom of the league, hopes were quietly high following a great win against Salisbury 2 weeks ago, that we would be able to hold our own and give a good performance. As the game kicked off the heavens opened, as did the Andover attack. Right from the outset the boys let Romsey know we meant business and around the fifteen minute mark, Alex Birmingham came on to the pitch and put the ball in to the back of the net, much to the unfettered delight of the home crowd.

Shocked Romsey showed why they are top of the league and attacked back with vigour. Wave after wave of attacks from the Romsey forwards were expertly repelled by the rock solid defence of Stepney, Duffield, Goodridge, Will Taylor and Milton; nothing was getting past these boys. These were quickly and skilfully turned back in to probing attacks on the over stretched Romsey team with lightning speed from Glover, Thomson, Cash and Cowan taking the Andover attack right in to the Romsey D time after time. With fresh legs available to the Andover team and with some great strength in depth, the solid work of the midfield from Taverner, Watson, Josh Taylor, Chadd and Wolfe-Barry kept the pressure on.

Another timely substitution saw Xavier Cash take to the pitch and deftly slot the ball past the Romsey Keeper who had been drawn wide and beaten by a well-timed and placed pass back across the goal. Spirits in the Andover team were riding high as quiet hopes turned in to a strong belief that we could pull of a stunning victory. A victory that was sealed in the final period with another great goal from Birmingham.

All in all it was a fantastic game of hockey with the boys mounting some really well worked attacks, coordinating and timing their passes to perfection. From the back right up to the front everyone gave their all. Players pour back to support the backs as Romsey counterattacked to deliver an unbeatable defence and drove forward to ply the pressure on the opposition. A stunning and crowd pleasing overall performance.