LOOKING BACK

from Andover New Street v Totton & Eling - 2021-22 | E-Programme

SCOTT 11, LAWTON 46, JEFFERY 87. RUSHER 89 ODAM 56, MAGEE 78

WHAT’S THE STORY?

Street left it late to claim the three points against a spirited Romsey side that had fought back from 2-0 down to level with 12 minutes to go, until substitute Josh Jeffery and Reece Rusher scored.

There was a scrappy opening to proceedings with play mainly in midfield, though Romsey were a little fortunate when goalkeeper Jordi Valero dropped a corner under no real pressure and was rewarded with a free kick. On eleven minutes another corner produced a more positive outcome for the home side as Matt Scott rose above a crowded area to send his header high into the roof of the net. Street keeper Sean O’Brien tipped an Ollie Jenkins drive over the bar and Harry Lawton struch the cross bar late in the first half.

A second New Street goal came straight into the second half as they made immediate and unchecked progress down the left side before Harry Lawton slid the ball past Valero and inside the far post. The twogoal cushion however lasted for little more than five minutes as the ball was given away in midfield and Jack Odam held off two challenges before beating O’Brien from a narrow angle.

Romsey then produced three or four quick passes that took them in to the area, the ball broke loose and Liam Magee fired home from some fifteen yards to make it very much game on. Street came back with Lock hitting the bar and the game was in its final five minutes when they fashioned a carbon copy of their second goal. Again, the ball was worked down the left and this time substitute Josh Jeffery slotted the ball across Valero and inside the far post to restore Street’s lead. And Romsey conceded a fourth goal in stoppage time. Keeper Valero raced almost to the half way line to block Davis, unaware that the ball had gone loose for Reece Rusher to find the unguarded net from some thirty yards as Valero vainly tried to return to his goal and it was game over in all respects.

HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? MOMENTS

SMITH 87

LEAGUE POSITION 5

ATTENDANCE 132

STREET: O’Brien Pearson (sub Thatcher 16) Rusher, Rogers Lawton, Lock Phillips 90) SUBS NOT , Alderman, Scott, , Morris, (sub Jeffery 74), , Davis, Cook (sub USED: Owen, Weatherall 25

COOK 21 (PEN) FRANCIS 2, WILCOCK 44

The Street bowed out of the FA Vase against a strong Hamworthy side , but made it an uncomfortable afternoon for the higher league visitors.

Hamworthy took an early lead in the second minute when a free-kick was played into the Street area and was miscontrolled by the defence to allow Lee Francis to sweep the ball home from close range. Hamworthy looked to build quickly on their lead and Matt Neale slid the ball past the advancing O'Brien in the home goal but also past the post.

The Street worked their way back in to the game and equalised on the twenty-minute mark. From a quickly taken free kick Max Allen found Shane Lock on the left, his cross struck the advancing defender on the arm and the referee pointed immediately to the spot. There was little in the way of argument and Ross Cook’s confidently taken kick bought the scores level.

Cook was wide from the edge of the area and after another break down the left Beasley's fierce drive was beaten away by O'Brien. Then just before halftime Wilcock, who made ground on the left and deftly lifted the ball past the goalkeeper and high inside the far post from a narrow angle to give his side the advantage at the break.

The home side pressed forward on the re-start and twice there was considerable confusion in the Hamworthy box but Street could not find the final touch with a corner being well held by goalkeeper Shane Murphy. The game became end to end but both sides could not find another goal so Hamworthy advance to next round, with Street far from disgraced and proud of their run this season in the Vase.

HAVEN’T WE MET BEFORE? MOMENTS

JEFFERY REFLECTS ON CUP VICTORY

Josh Jeffery came off the bench to make a difference in Streets recent wins against Downton and Andover Town in the North Hants Cup.

Jeffery’s pace and ability to run at defenders has caught the eye in recent matches where he has come off the bench to make an impact during the latter stages of the game. This was capped with a spectacular strike against Andover Town last Tuesday and an important goal last Saturday against Romsey Town, just when Romsey looked to be back in the game after coming back to 2-2. The strike against Andover Town sealed a memorable victory against the local rivals from the Portway. The chance fell to Jeffery just outside the area, after the Town defence half cleared a Street corner and he proceeded to fire it into the net via the cross bar. The winger/striker was happy that he took his chance and hopes he has proven what he can do to manager Jamie Coleman.

“The gaffer sent me on with a job to do and luckily I was in the right position at the right time,”.” said Jeffery. “The chance came straight to me and I was happy to get on the end of it and put it away, hopefully I can show the gaffer that I can do that week in, week out.”

The win against Romsey Town means the Street maintain their push for promotion and stay in 5th position with at least one or two games in hand with the teams above them. Jeffery believes that the Street have only just started to get going following their defeat at Laverstock & Ford. ”We are just starting to get going and we are starting to pick up momentum.” Jeffery told Word on the Street. “We had a slight blip against Laverstock but we are back on it now, we look good in possession and look capable of scoring all over pitch.”

Jeffery admitted that he has been working harder in training and giving an extra 10 per cent to try and push his way into the side. The winger is happy that his hard work has paid off with his recent goals.

“I’ve been working hard, I always give 100 per cent but sometimes you have to give 110 per cent,” said Jeffery. “I’ve tried my hardest at every training session and it’s paid off with me getting on the pitch and making a telling contribution to the team and helping them progress in the cup and also getting the three points against Downton and also Romsey Town, especially my goal against Romsey as it made such a difference and swung the game back in our favour after they came back from 2-0 down to 2-2.”