Weymouth 1 Andover 3
ANDOVER made a successful 140-round mile trip to Weymouth.
With the squad high in spirits, the game got off to a flyer with Andover piling on the pressure in the first ten minutes.
Jamie Hacker slotted the ball in after some intelligent passing between Jack Trott and George Allmark, but after the goal Weymouth came to life and put the defence under extreme pressure.
James Pawley, Chris Eggington and Joel Hulmes stayed strong, making some game changing challenges, and once again Doug Strickland made a number of phenomenal saves including his second penalty stroke save in two games.
As the second half started Weymouth came out the brightest, creating plenty of chances, but it seemed as if Andover were going to keep the door shut once again.
However, after a poor decision from the umpire, the squad found themselves level and having to really dig deep.
No sooner than Weymouth had equalised, Andover found themselves back in the game looking like a completely different side.
More super counter attacking allowed Hacker to pounce on a rebound from an Olly Bridge shot for the second time in the game.
Hacker put an intricate pass through to Harry Trott who finished with a wonder goal on his reverse side.
That was his first goal for the first team since making the step up.
Andover remain top, four points clear meaning they will stay top over the Christmas period.
Andover II 5 Fleet and Ewshot 3
Determined to break a run of bad form over the last two games, Andover II hosted a top of the table clash with Fleet and Ewshot.
Fleet opened the scoring with an impressive first time shot from an aerial ball but Andover charged forward and responded quickly through Daley.
A short corner break down gave Fleet another break and a second impressive finish gave them back the lead.
Again Andover fought back and forced a short corner effort over the line.
Fleet came out of the blocks all guns blazing from half-time and took the lead for a third time from a deflection.
From that point on, the story changed as a fast passing move through the midfield and some sharp skill in the Fleet D saw Ben Anthony put the ball to Will Turner poaching on the back post and he equalised.
Dan Allen released an unmarked Anthony for the lead for the first time in the game.
A stonewall defensive effort from Jackson, Sorenson and Priestly-Cooper soaked up the last efforts of the Fleet attack and Allen pouncing on a loose save finished off a fantastic game to reclaim Andover’s place at the top of the division.
Andover III 2 Eastleigh 3
Although sickness and injury had taken its toll on the thirds, they started full of high hopes of repeating their last home game and getting a win.
Eastleigh opened the scoring with a fluke goal as the ball pinged the post and spun back over the line.
The second came from a penalty-flick which keeper Steve Payne, who made a number of other excellent saves in the game, was unable to stop.
Andover weren’t daunted and hit back to level through Adam Boyne and man of the match Haydn Jellard.
The second half again saw both keepers earning their stripes as each team pressed to get the advantage.
Eventually, though, it was Eastleigh who found the back-board.
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