Groundhog Day for Diamonds

After an impressive attacking performance in the first half, the Diamonds imploded with a diabolical second half defensive effort to lose their sixth league game of the season.

Chichester are probably the second strongest team in the Wessex Masters League and they showed their class early on, putting the home side under extreme pressure, however the Andover defence stood strong and eventually the Diamonds were able to maintain some of their own possession.

Midway through the opening half, John Priestley-Cooper won Andover’s first penalty corner and this was clinically converted by skipper Glyn Hacker with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner of the goal. For the remainder of the half the Diamonds dominated the play and looked good in possession and secure in defence. At the break they were a goal up and determined to keep their first clean sheet of the season.

As in the previous week's defeat to West Wilts, it seemed that a totally different Andover side came out for the second half. Whereas last week they conceded 3 goals in as many minutes this time they managed to give away 5 goals in a devastating opening quarter of the second half. Although Chichester had increased their quality in attack it seemed the entire Andover team, could no longer master the basics of defending as the unmarked, unchallenged Chichester forwards were given to much time and space to score at will.

With the game lost, Andover once again rallied and their efforts were rewarded with a second goal late on. Once again it was Hacker who scored from a penalty corner this time his shot was skilfully lifted over a diving keeper.

Andover have two more games until the Christmas break, if they can maintain their first half performances for the entire match they should feel confident of recording a victory or two. However if their second half horror defending comes back then defeat is a certainty.