Andover Town's worst fears were confirmed on a gloomy afternoon at Portway as they were relegated from the Wessex League for the first time since the club's rebirth in 2012.

Newport (IOW) were the visitors, and Town desperately needed a win to avoid finishing rock bottom.

Both teams paid tribute to Newport's goalkeeper, Gary Streeter, who was playing his final match after a remarkable 25-year career.

Despite a bright start from both sides, Newport took the lead in the 15th minute through Parsons, who slotted home a low shot. This early goal followed a worrying trend for Andover this season, often struggling to recover after conceding first.

Town pushed for an equaliser, with Jake Parton forcing a save from Streeter and Will Hughes showcasing his trademark runs from midfield. However, clear-cut chances remained elusive for the home side.

The second half mirrored the first, with both teams cancelling each other out. However, Andover's hopes were dashed in the 53rd minute when Diaz-Benitez conceded a penalty, which Butcher coolly converted.

A moment of brilliance from Oatley in the 65th minute briefly reignited hope for Andover with a stunning free kick. Unfortunately, Newport responded by controlling the rest of the match, adding another goal to seal a 3-0 victory.

Then the islanders relaxed and comfortably controlled the match. Andover’s long tenure in the Wessex League in both the Premier League and Division 1 ended with the score 3-0 to the visitors.

The defeat confirmed Andover's relegation, with Aldermaston's draw condemning them to the bottom of the table. This marks a significant fall from grace for a club that once challenged for promotion to the Southern League.

While the team's effort and commitment were commendable throughout the season, the undeniable truth is that Andover lacked the quality needed to compete at this level. Their staggering negative goal difference of 108 paints a clear picture of their struggles.

This is a major setback for Andover Town, and the road back to the Wessex League will be a tough one.