Spencer 1st XI 4 Andover 1st XI 0

ANDOVER, in their first league game after the Christmas break, were thrashed by top of the table Spencer. Apart from the four goals scored, the home side hit the post, missed an open goal and saw a shot saved off the line.

The main difference between the two sides was that Spencer could call upon the talents of a 16 man squad while their visitors could only muster the bare 11. Two suffered injuries during the match and the rest looked like they had enjoyed too much Christmas spirit.

After taking the push back Andover had lost possession within the opening minute and were two goals down in the opening 10 minutes.

They fought hard to get back into the game but whenever they looked threatening Spencer would bring on a fresh pair of legs with instructions from their coach.

In the second period, Andover continued to battle but could not break down the home defence. Spencer responded to Andover's attempts at goal by scoring two further goals from quick counter attacks. Their third goal came from the penalty spot.

Late on Spencer scored their fourth and again the Andover defence was outnumbered to allow the Spencer forward to score from close range.

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

Andover Ladies 1st XI 1 Esso Ladies 1st XI 2

Redrice Health and Fitness sponsored Andover Ladies were straight back to league action. Andover have failed to get a consistent team since the beginning of the season, and had two influential players missing.

Both teams started evenly matched in a rather sluggish half. Esso began to apply more pressure on the Andover defence and scored a goal through a fortunate deflection.

In the second half, Andover did not get out of first gear until the last 15 minutes. By then Esso had doubled their score thanks to a lapse in the Andover defence.

Andover has a changed side again on Saturday.

Andover Ladies 1st XI squad: Rutter, Kinchenton, Gigg, Osmond, Sandilands, Green, Hacker, Amphlett, Uren, Collins, Boswell, Ray, English.

Andover 2nd XI 0 Epsom 2nd XI 1

Andover started Saturday's game full of confidence, when table toppers Epsom visited Charlton. Glenn Parkinson's improved second's were disappointed not to get a deserved point from this game.

Epsom made the brighter start, but Andover defended in numbers and keeper Stuart Glover was in inspired form. Epsom thought they had opened the scoring from a penalty corner, only for the officials to disallow the goal.

On the stroke of half time, Andover also had a goal disallowed from a penalty corner, and it was a surprise to all that the first half ended goalless.

With Andover reduced to the odd counter attack, Epsom continued to dominate in the second period. Continued pressure was beginning to wear down the Andover defence and with only 15 minutes remaining, Epsom scored the only goal of the game.

Andover 2nd XI squad: Glover, Parkinson, Bridge, Davidson, Crawford, Adcock, Li, Collins, Cowan, Gillingham, Atkins.

Fleet Ladies 2nd XI 4 Andover Ladies 2nd XI 1

Andover's Ladies 2nd XI had their first league match of 2001 against Fleet at the Frogmore Leisure Centre near Yateley.

Despite having only 10 young players and a volunteer keeper in Nichola Lloyd, the Andover team started sharply. The visitors had most of the play in the first quarter but it was the home side who took the lead on a breakaway attack in the fourth minute.

In the 24th minute Andover equalised when a shot from Joel Claridge was deflected into the net by young Anika Drage, but Fleet took the lead again just before half time. Once again in the second half it was Andover who took the play to Fleet but couldn't find the net. Fleet then scored a third and five minutes later a fourth.

Andover's young players continued to work hard and this was probably one of Andover Ladies' second XI best performances of the season.

Andover Ladies 2nd XI squad: Lloyd, Peebles, Murphy, Kemp, Drage (K), Casson-Crooks (capt), Hail, Drage (A), Hoare, Claridge.

Andover 3rd XI 1 Southampton 3rd XI 6 Andover came up against a strong Southampton side and from the start were put under pressure until they finally found their own game and started to attack the opposition's goal. Southampton scored first and the game was kept tight for the rest of the first half, mainly due to Rob Leonard's good goalkeeping. After the break, both teams came out fighting but again Southampton struck first, scoring another goal. They scored a further four before Andover responded with a scrappy effort by James Wood after a scramble in front of goal. Andover 3rd XI squad: Leonard (capt), Buckley, Tomlinson, Rimmer, Bick, James, Wood, Leonard, Barnfather, Peebles, Young.

Andover 4th XI 4 Poole XI 0 Andover's 4th XI 's team captain John Buckley returned from injury to lead his team to another impressive win against Poole. Right from the start Andover had control of the game with some fine play in the middle of the park. Good work from defence to attack proved too much for the visiting team. Andover soon took the lead through young Nick Peebles and then before half time Marc Rimmer slotted in from close range. The second half was a carbon copy of the first with Buckley gifting Sam Needham an excellent strike at goal which resulted in a 3-0 lead. A fine pass from Toby Wilcox to Simon Thomas resulted in the latter making the score 4-0. Andover were awarded a penalty stroke close to full time but could not improve on the score. Andover 4th XI squad: Buckley (capt), Young, Thomas, Peebles (D), Peebles (N), Wilcox, Burnham, Atkins, Dear, Rimmer, Needham, Leonard.

Weekend Fixtures Saturday (13-1-01), 1st XI (v Basingstoke, league, Charlton, 3pm); 2nd XI (v Old Cranleighans, league, London, 3pm); 3rd XI (v Winchester IV, league, Kings School, 1.30pm); 4th XI (v Hamble IV, league, Charlton, 1.30pm); Vets XI (v Trojan II, league, Charlton, 1.30pm); Ladies 1st XI (v Southampton III, league, Southampton, 12pm); Ladies 2nd XI (v Winchester III, league, Charlton, 4.30pm). Sunday (14-1-01), U19 Girls XI (v Alton, league, Charlton, 11.30am); U16 boys XI (v Petersfield, league, Brooks School, 12pm).