Andover 1st XI 2

Old Midwives 1st XI 5

TO steal an old football clich this was a game of two halves, Andover 1st XI producing a real Jekyell and Hyde performance as they lost a comfortable two-goal lead with a real second-half horror show.

So far this season, Andover have not fielded the same team two weeks running and this constant disruption must be the reason they cannot string a series of wins together.

After conceding nine goals last week, the London side seemed tentative and nervous at the start, this allowed the home team to dominate the early exchanges and they scored twice in the opening 20 minutes. Both goals came from close range goalmouth scrambles, Andy Winnet scoring the first and then Paul Denny-Gouldson's shot was helped over the line by Dave Essex.

Old Midwives were given a lifeline just before the interval. Sweeper Craig Smith's wayward back pass went straight to an opposing forward and, although Smith blocked the first shot, he could do little to prevent the rebound from going in. The body language said it all, Andover was distraught whilst the visitors ended the half on a high.

Andover knew the second half would be difficult and would need every player to have a cool and level head. Instead, they had two players sin-binned, Smith and Glyn Hacker for deliberate fouls, and gave away numerous penalty corners, one of which Old Midwives scored their equaliser.

Andover then conceded a penalty stroke from which the visitors took the lead and then the home defence was ripped apart again to allow the London side to score a fourth goal.

With victory assured Old Midwives relaxed to watch Andover squabbled amongst themsevles but they were almost made to pay for their complacency when Andover thought they had scored a third goal. Winnett saw his penalty corner strike deflected into the roof of the net off a defender's stick, frustratingly for Winnett and Andover the goal was disallowed for dangerous play.

As Andover protested the London side went straight down the other end and scored their fifth goal to make all the arguments irrelevant.

Andover 1st XI squad: Strickland, Smith (C), Oostendorp, Hacker, Essex, Viggers (capt), Winnett, Slieman-Hiscock (J), Kavanagh, Denny-Gouldson, Duck.

Reigate Priory 2nd XI 1

Andover 2nd XI 0

Despite the previous week's disappointing performance, Andover 2nd XI travelled in a confident mood for a bottom-of-the-table clash against Reigate Priory.

Andover dominated the game from start to finish but came away without any points. Quite often this season it has been Andover's opposition who have been frustrated by the heroic performances of 'keeper Stuart Glover, but it was the Reigate keeper who produced a performance which can only be described as inspirational, producing a number of first class saves in the first half..

In a desperate attempt to get something from the game, Andover pushed forward, but were unable to break down the stubborn Reigate defence, leaving Andover still fighting for survival in the Hants/Surrey Regional League. Andover 2nd XI: Glover, Parkinson (capt), Bridge, Nice, Davidson, Cowan, Jackson, Atkins, Adcock, Li, Rimmer, Butterworth.

Andover 4th XI 0

Hamble 3rd XI 2

After a disappointing display the previous week John Buckley's Andover 4th XI certainly didn't fancy facing top of the league Hamble a week later. They did well for 20 minutes with the defensive quartet of D Peebles, Wilcox, Leonard and new player Ruby performing heroics until a couple of silly mistakes let Hamble in to beat Challinor on his return to goal.

Apart form that Andover kept it tight at the back and Hamble became more than a little frustrated as the home side fought back well with N Peebles and Needham both missing excellent chance.

Andover 4th XI: Challinor, Peebles (D), Wilcox, Leonard, Ruby, Skellon, (J), Burnham, Buckley (capt), Young, Needham, Peebles (N). Umpire: Ian Burnham.

Andover Ladies 1st XI 1

CofP Ladies 2

Redrice Health & Fitness sponsored Andover Ladies played with great spirite over the weekend but unfortunately ran out losers in both league and cup. Andover were determined to repeat the previous week's fantastic result against Basingstoke but, despite a bright start, were narrowly beaten by a well organised City of Portsmouth in the league.

Portsmouth took an early lead and soon added a second goal. However, the home side picked up the place in the second half and came back into the game with a fine goal from Emma Boswell. They piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser in the later stages but were denied by excellent saves from the Portsmouth 'keeper.

Andover Ladies 1st XI: Rutter, Kinchenton, Gigg, Sandilands, Uren, Mitchell, Hacker (capt), Amphlett, Crouchman, Dearden, Butterfield, Hoare, Boswell, Randall.

Andover Ladies 1st XI

Petersfield Ladies 2

On Sunday, Andover played Hants Division One side Petersfield in the county cup and produced a fantastic display before bowing out - again by the odd goal in three. Swift passing and decisive running saw Andover dominate the first half and they fully deserved to go in at half time leading through an early goal from Sally Dearden.

Andover continued to pile on the pressure in the second half but failed to score the second goal they needed, which eventually cost them the game. Petersfield had two chances in the game but managed to take both of them. Andover, however, can only be proud of their performance and hopefully can carry this form into their next league match.

Andover Ladies 1st XI: Rutter, Kinchenton, Gigg, Sandilands, Uren, Mitchell, Hacker (capt), Amphlett, Crouchman, Dearden, Butterfield, Hoare, Boswell, Randall.

Andover Ladies 2nd XI 1

West Meon Ladies 4

Despite losing again, Andover Ladies 2nd XI played well and managed to score their second goal of the year through Joelle Claridge.

New recruit Marion Murphy also had a fine game in goal considering she had never played there before and made some impressive saves. Little Carly Peebles, the youngest player in the team, looks to have the potential of becoming a useful player.

Andover Ladies 2nd XI: Butterworth (capt), Casson-Crook, Claridge, Drage (A), Drage (K), Hoare, Lloyd, McKie, Murphy, Patel, Peebles.

Andover Men's 3rd XI game was called off just before the team left for Haslemere as the pitch was frozen whilst Andover Vets XI unfortunately came second after a rather lack-lustre performance saw them crash 6-0 in their local derby with Newbury. On Sunday, Andover Boys under-16's game was called off after opponents Havant was unable to raise a team as was the under-12's after Marlborough had double booked fixtures.

Other result: Andover U14 Girls 2, Gosport U14 Girls 2

Weekend fixtures

Saturday (3-2-01): 1st XI (v. London Wayfarers I , league, Charlton, 12noon); 2nd XI (v. London Wayfarers II, league, TBA); 3rd XI (v. Havant IV, league, Charlton, 1.30pm); Ladies 1st XI (v. Eastleigh I, league, Eastleigh I , TBA); Ladies 2nd XI (v. Yateley II, league, Charlton, 3pm); Sunday (4-2-01): Girls Under-19's (v. Yateley, league, Frogmore, 11am); Boys Under-14's (v. Portsmouth & Southsea, league, Charlton, 12 noon).