Andover 5 Trojans 2.

Andover hosted Trojans as the league season started again after the Christmas break after the first half had seen Andover only rack up four points with a solitary win and draw.

Andover started brightly putting Trojans on the back foot and it wasn’t long before Jamie Hacker found the net for his first after good movement from Aron Walker. Andover could have found themselves another goal up with a flick but the Trojans keeper was equal to Hacker’s attempt. Andover didn’t have to wait long for their second, with the defence working well forcing Trojans to wide when Dave Millings intercepted and passed the ball up the line to Walker who slipped the ball to Hacker who slotted it past two defenders on the line.

Andover took a 2-0 lead into the break and happy that so far the game had been one of the best performances. Trojans halved the lead early in the second half but the fight back was short lived as the ball was worked through the Andover midfield where the final ball found Mark Josling in front of goal and although the keeper made the initial save Hacker was there to claim his hat-trick.

Andover found the goal for a fourth time when Leroy Smudger found space to place his shot just wide of the keeper. Trojans never gave up and after a string of short corners scored a second.

With minutes left Hacker added his fourth to kill off the game. This was a vastly improved performance, played with passion and an intensity that had been missing.

Reports and pictures from Andover Hockey Club in Friday's Advertiser