LOOKING BACK

LAWTON 1, LOCK 10, 12, 15, 43, GOSNEY 21, FLOOD 73 EVANS 39

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Andover New Street entertained in a five-star performance as they scored seven for the third time in five matches.

The game then got away to an explosive start with the home side taking the lead after just thirty-four seconds. Mike Gosney charged down a clearance, his cross was only cleared to the edge of the area and Harry Lawton’s low drive found the corner of the net. Verwood had a much changed and youthful side from their previous visit and were simply swept aside in the opening twenty minutes.

Mikey Davis was denied by a fine save from goalkeeper Adam Lewingray before the second goal came on ten minutes. Joe Wright went from left back to take a corner on the right and Shane Lock, far from the tallest player in the box, rose unchallenged to head the ball almost out of the keeper’s hands and high into the net. Two minutes later it was three as Chris Flood’s persistence took him down the left flank and the low cross was turned home by Shane Lock. Six minutes after he had scored his first goal he completed his hat trick, collecting a through ball and turning the defender before firing past the rather static keeper,

The half’s midway point was marked by goal number five as the visiting defence failed to deal with a through ball and Mike Gosney found the corner of the net with the keeper again seeming flat footed.

Another home corner was cleared and this time to good effect as Erhan Quarchioni’s speed took him into space on the right and his cross provided Diop Evans with a simple tap in to reduce the arrears. There was still time for New Street to make it six before the break as Flood’s clever reverse pass sent Shane Lock away, the defence stood off and a cool finish took the striker’s tally to four.

The Street got a sixth goal when a Gosney corner from the right cleared everybody, only for Wright to cross from the other flank enabling Chris Flood to control the ball and turn in one movement before beating the overworked Lewingray. 25

LEAGUE POSITION 3

ATTENDANCE 209

STREET: Wilson, Field, Scott, Hibberd, Wright, Davis (sub Rusher 58), Lawton (sub Thatcher 63), Rogers (sub Allen 65), Lock, Gosney, Flood SUBS NOT USED: Morris, O’Brien

First against third as the “Business End” of the season begins to take shape, two committed sides, an attendance well in excess of two hundred and an enjoyable if at times scrappy ninety minutes, though the wind played a large part in that, and in the end all square and a point apiece.

The first attempt on goal fell for Andover New Street with a free kick from Reece Rusher, after he had been fouled on the corner of the area, being well saved by keeper Paddy Creese under heavy pressure.

At the other end Ronan Clancy seemed to get the ball under his feet when well-placed and the chance was lost before Creese came for a corner he appeared to have little chance of reaching and Shane Lock’s snapshot from the loose ball was acrobatically blocked by a defender. Harry Beckley, whose pace was a threat to the home defence all afternoon, found space on the right but fired into the side netting and with the game switching from end-to-end Chris Flood was inches wide of the far post and saw another effort well saved by Creese after Joe Wright and Lock had created the opening. The half ended with another excellent save from Creese, tipping a thunderbolt from Liam Hibberd over the bar after a corner had only been partially cleared.

The second half saw Some brave keeping by Jordi Wilson in the home goal averted danger from an in-swinging corner and after Ross Cook saw a close range shot rather fumbled round the post by Creese and with time running out, Wilson saved twice from Beckley in close succession and a Plummer cross evaded all in the area while at the other end Cook’s first time shot from a Lock cross was nearly inadvertently deflected past Creese by Flood. With time running out Street came closest to breaking the deadlock when Joe Wright clipped the far post and a Rusher effort was held by Creese and five nervous, for both sides, extra minutes could not alter the score line.

HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? MOMENTS

LEAGUE POSITION 3

ATTENDANCE 233

STREET: Wilson, Field, Scott, James (sub Rogers 59), Wright, Rusher, Hibberd, Lawton, Gosney (sub Cook 64), Lock, Flood SUBS NOT USED: O’Brien, Davis, Thatcher

centre spot

Action from our last home match with Bemerton Heath Harlequins, during our 0-0 draw. Street midfielder Harry Lawton challenges for the ball as the Street put pressure on the Bemmy defence.