BRITISH GAS BUSINESS SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 1 SOUTH AND WEST

City threw away three points on Easter Monday with a dismal second half display against local rivals Andover after a dominating first half. Hero of the day was City’s ex-goalkeeper David Hook, who kept Andover in the game with a string of brilliant saves including a penalty.

The day started ominously for City with Referee Justin Amey failing the pitch after his inspection because of glass and a crop of stones brought to the surface by the recent heavy rains made the pitch dangerous and in his opinion unplayable. He, however, took the sensible decision of delaying the kick-off by 15 minutes to allow the pitch to be cleared. Officials and supporters from both sides walked the pitch in a hail storm and cleared the stones and glass in a show of friendship and solidarity which was a credit to Southern League football. The game was completed with no player receiving an injury.

When the players eventually came out it was city who dominated play. Brett Williams put the ball in the net after five minutes but was ruled offside and then Dave Allen had a solo effort well saved by Hook. The breakthrough was not long in coming however, Adam Lang won the ball in midfield and sent Williams away who crossed into the box with the outside of his foot for Allen to shoot home from close range.

Allan and Williams then caused the Andover defence more problems. Sam Carter put in a penetrating run and crossed from the edge of the penalty are and Allan put his shot just wide and then Allen chased down a clearance to set Williams up and his shot was well saved by Hook. Richard Gregory worked his way down the flank only to see his cross plucked out of the air by Hook.

It looked as if Williams had scored City’s second goal when he lobbed Hook but the Lion’s keeper somehow managed to get a finger tip to the ball and put if just over the bar. It was then Allan who looked as if he had scored but Hook, although floundering on the ground, managed to get a toe to the ball to clear. The game turned around in the second half and it was City’s keeper who came under the spotlight, Davies making a diving save early in the half.

With City under pressure manager Andy Leaver brought on Aaron Parfitt in the 59th minute for Adam Grey and this nearly paid off when he created a chance for Williams which again Hook cleared with his feet and then he conceded a corner from a header from Matt Bowler. Andover, however, were having the better of the attacking play and for a quarter of an hour penned City into their own half with only a long-range shot from Adam George long range shot relieving the pressure. James Wilson had a blinding game at the back which earned him the man of the match award.

Disaster struck for City in the 74th minute when Parfitt, shielding his face from a powerful cross was adjudged to have handled the ball and the Lion’s Owen Ellias put them back into the game with a well taken penalty. City made two changes in the 75th minute, Warren Bentley for Sam Carter and Andy Jacob for Gregory and then disaster struck again!. On this occasion Lang was penalised for a foul in the box and Elias scored his second penalty in two minutes.

City were given the chnace of getting back in the game in the 80th minute when they too were awarded a penalty for hand ball but unfortunately George mis-hit the spot kick and Hook saved easily. There was still time for a couple more chances however, Bowler had the misfortune to see a superb header from a corner kicked off the line and Allan put in a good volley which was just wide. The win, as other results played out, saved Andover from relegation, thus ensuring two local derbies for City next season.

City: Clint Davies, James Wilson, Adam Lang, Matt Bowler, Steve Llewelyn, Richard Gregory, Adam George, Andrew Grey, Dave Allen, Brett Williams, Sam Carter, Substitutes, Aaron Parfitt (59th), Andrew Smallpiece, Warren Bentley (75th) Andy Jacob (75th), James Eyles.