ANDOVER Town have rapidly restocked their midfield department following skipper Liam Gilbert’s departure to Winchester City.

The north Hampshire club have welcomed Ben Cook into the Portway Stadium fold ahead of Saturday's (3pm) mighty top-two clash at home to league leaders Blackfield & Langley in the Sydenhams Premier Division.

Cook, a central midfielder, joins Town from top-flight Wessex rivals Amesbury Town where he had played ten times this season, scoring twice.

A former Reading under-16 academy player, Cook also featured in the FA Youth Cup while at Oxford United and turned out for Reading Town.

While Blackfield still top the table, second-placed Andover – the division’s last remaining unbeaten side - have quickly narrowed the gap on the Watersiders.

As a result of Tuesday’s somewhat fortuitous 2-1 win at Shaftesbury, sealed by goals from new striker George Hallahan and Jason Silver, they lurk three points behind Glenn Howes’ pace-setters with two games in hand.

After reeling off 11 straight wins, Blackfield have come unstuck over the last two weeks, held 1-1 at home by Hamble Club before losing 2-1 at Lymington Town last Saturday.