This was a history making day for Andover New Street as they made their initial appearance in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. Having won through two Preliminary Rounds, the standard suddenly rises sharply with the entry of clubs from the higher reaches of the Southern and Isthmian Leagues and the draw sent Street on the relatively short journey to Gosport Borough, a club who had recently played in the National League South and are currently in the Southern League Premier South. So, a somewhat daunting task as they stepped out on to the ground always known in Hampshire footballing circles as Privett Park.

The home side, as expected, dominated the early possession showing an ability to keep the ball moving quickly and were particularly dangerous on their left flank where they repeatedly found space and it was from that area that they took the lead after 13 minutes. Striker Dan Wooden, who was to be a thorn in the visiting defence all afternoon, picked the ball up and cut inside before firing low across keeper Matt Fredericks and in to the far corner. Street were finding it difficult to get forward, though Josh Moore bought a fine save out of the home keeper, and within four minutes they were two goals down. This time the cross came from the opposite flank, the defence could not get the ball away, and Alfie Stanley slotted the ball home. Callum Sweeney was narrowly beaten to a through ball by the home keeper and Fredericks saved superbly at the other end. But as the half passed the halfway point Gosport scored again with what was to be the best goal of the game. A superb cross swung in from he left was met by Wooden with a diving header at the far post, the ball going back across the face of the goal and high into the net. To their credit New Street kept battling and it was virtually stoppage time at the end of the half when Gosport scored their fourth as Fredericks could only parry a fierce drive with Stanley the quickest to the loose ball.

Street’s system of playing three at the back had served them well thus far in the season but Gosport had too readily exploited the spaces out wide and Manager Jamie Colemen switched to a back four for the second half and changed the personnel with Scott Hasell and Claudio Herbert joining the fray. Gosport were rather late out for the second half and New Street made a bright start with Ryan Griffiths narrowly wide. They had an escape when a speculative home cross came back off the angle of post and bar but the visitors were having more joy going forward. Jake Carswell and Griffiths combined but Herbert was quickly crowded out at the far post. A Lewis Williams cross caused some panic in the area before a fine move involving Shane Lock, Cameron Thatcher, substitute Layton Tulk and Herbert ended with the latter’s finish an inch or so wide of the post. Possibly the home side had taken their foot slightly off the pedal but Tulk and Herbert again came close, though Street did escape when Stanley made an awful mess of a one on one at the other end, and Street could feel they deserved a goal for their second half effort.

New Street can be pleased with their effort against skilful opposition from two levels higher in the Pyramid and, despite the scoreline, can be proud of their afternoon. And thanks to the New Street faithful who made the journey in good numbers to support the side.

Now it is another journey this coming Saturday as we return to League action, after a spate of matches in various cup competitions, with a trip to the Island to meet Cowes Sports.