ANDOVER New Street secured a comfortable 6-1 victory over Lymington Town in the first round qualifying of the FA Vase on Saturday, writes John Gorman.

The Wessex League Premier Division side dominated the match from start to finish, showcasing their superior quality.

Street made the brighter start with an Issy Kaba header from a Shane Lock corner cleared off the line and despite being without Matt Fredericks, Claudio Herbert and Ryan Griffiths, their early pressure was rewarded after just eight minutes when clever work by Cameron Thatcher and Callum Sweeney sent Josh Moore clear to slot the ball past the advancing keeper. (1-0)

Midway through the half Street doubled their lead as a Lewis Williams cross after a fine run was turned in by Moore at the far post. (2-0)

Caba limped off to be replaced by Corey Taylor-Kelly with halftime approaching Williams made it three with one of his trademark goals. (3-0)

There was still time for one more goal before the break with Lymington reducing the deficit after some confusion in the home defence. (3-1)

Three one up at halftime against a side bottom of Division One suggested it was almost “game over” and that was confirmed immediately upon the restart, when any hopes the visitors had of a comeback were quashed as Moore fastened on to a superb through ball from Jake Carswell to complete his first hattrick for the Club. (4-1)  

Manager Jamie Coleman took the opportunity to use all five substitutes, giving squad members time on the pitch, and within 15 minutes the home tally reached six with a deflected own goal and a clever shot on the turn from Taylor-Kelly. (6-1)

The gulf between the top of the Premier Division and the bottom of Division One was all too obvious and the home midfield were simply too strong but all credit to Lymington who never gave up and special credit to their goalkeeper Nico Trojanowski who easily qualified for the man of the match mantle with a string of outstanding saves over the 90 minutes. 

Street’s reward is a trip to Premier Division high fliers Baffins Milton Rovers in the next round but before that, and with no midweek game, they travel to Gosport Borough on Saturday in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup.

With their hosts playing in the Southern League Premier South – two levels above Street – it is a daunting task but the New Street faithful will be heading along the M27 en-masse to show their support for what is a big occasion in the Club’s history.