ANDOVER have had plenty to celebrate this week after winning the coveted JWL Club-of-the-Month award for October - a tremendous achievement considering the Lions came close to folding during the summer.

"It puts into perspective what we've achieved as a club in such a short space of time.," said Lions team manager Howard Goddard. "We didn't expect to win anything this year but to be named club-of- the-month is a big bonus not just for the players, also the fans and everyone associated with the club"

He added that to gain get the vote ahead of all the big clubs in the JWL like Eastleigh, Totton, Lymington and Gosport was a great achievement.

"It shows that people out there are taking notice of where we've come from," Goddard said. "The people who have been with the club from day one, all those who helped out pre-season in painting the ground and cutting the grass, have all played a part in the club winning the award."

The Lions boss admitted that the award also helped to take away a little of the pain at going out of the FA Trophy last Saturday - their first defeat in nine matches. "All winning runs have to an end sometime and to be honest I would rather lose in the Vase than drop three points in the league," he said.

It's back to the bread and butter of the JWL this Saturday for the Lions with Alton Town the visitors to The Portway (3pm), and Goddard could unveil one or two new signings.

Vinnie Rusher, Justin Bennett and Paul George are all available again after missing last Saturday's defeat and Paul Hughes is also back from injury along with new Army signing Terry Lynch.

Midfielder Lynch and another Tidworth-based solider have been recommended to the town club by former Lions midfield ace John Scott. "Lynch could be available and I'll be having a look at the other player next week," said Goddard. The Lions boss expects a difficult game against Alton, who also bar the way to a place in the last eight of the Hants Senior Cup with Andover having drawn them at home in the third round to be played on or before 7 December.

"After a couple of cup games it's important that we get back to winnings way in the league," said Goddard. "They are big strong physical side and are having a good run at the moment."

Goddard has named a squad of 18 players, including Lynch, from which he will select the side to play Alton and is as follows:

Andover (from): Drake, George, Damen, Prately, Kennedy, Richards, Knight, McNulty, Nurse, Lynch, Bennett, Rusher, Sullivan, Rae, Keith Nichols, Phil Nichols, Hughes, Mariner. The Lions are also in action next Tuesday, 19 November, when they visit Thatcham Town for the opening leg in the second round of the JWL League Cup. The return leg is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, 3 December.

The Lions, beaten 4-2 at home by Fareham Town in September, have got to replay the game after Fareham were found to have included an ineligible player in the original fixture.