ANDOVER New Street were beaten 4-2 by Blackfield and Langley in Wessex League Premier Division.

This was another disappointing result and showing by the Andover side following the defeat at Laverstock. Street have now conceded 10 goals in the last two matches.

The performance at Blackfield had something of the curates’ egg about it – a poor start, decent in the middle and a poor finish – and it was a game that Street had every chance to win.

The side showed three changes from that at Laverstock with Aaron Randall and Mikey Davis dropping to the bench and Brad Walters unavailable and being replaced by Jamie Blackburn, Lewis Williams and Jake Carswell, the latter making his debut for the club.

Both sides were quick to get into their stride with a Blackfield effort just wide and Shane Lock being halted by a foul on the edge of the area with the free kick too high.

Craig Roocroft made ground down the flank and his cross was turned home by Jahiem Dotse, younger brother of former Street striker Malachi, making his debut for the Waterside Club. (1-0)

Street showed signs of settling into the game with Cameron Thatcher and Williams combining well and Edgar saving twice from the pacy forward. 

Ethan Gee and Leyton Tulk both tested Edgar and the pressure was rewarded three minutes before the break when Shane Lock headed home a Williams cross. (1-1)

Street dominated the start of the second half with their best spell of the game winning two corners and a free kick that was cleared and went ahead for the first time when Dempsey was pulled down at a corner and Lock converted the penalty with his usual aplomb. (1-2)

The home side badly wasted a free kick and New Street introduced Randall and Davis in place of Williams and Blackburn, the latter having received a yellow card.

Street were then on the back foot and with 15 minutes remaining, Dempsey was penalised on the edge of the area. 

Arshia Sheibatzdeh curled the free kick into the roof of the net. (2-2)

From then it was all Blackfield as Street went to pieces defensively. They failed to deal with a cross allowing Joe Roberts to put the home side back in front (3-2).

When Shaun Dallimore was penalised for a challenge in the area Roberts made it four from the spot and it was game over. (4-2)

The absence of Ross Cook and the loss of Malachi Dotse has left a gap up front which is having to be filled by players who are not natural strikers, while for the second week running the defence fell apart in the second half and the display that gained three points against Sherborne now seems a long time ago. Street will face Petersfield Town on Tuesday, January 9.