FootballSport

Andover shock leaders Portchester in six-goal thriller

By Connor Steel

AFC PORTCHESTER succumbed to their opening league loss of this 2024-25 campaign as they hosted Andover New Street on Tuesday evening; eventually falling to a four-two home defeat against their ‘progressive opponents’ following a very attacking performance from two strong defences in front of a strong crowd at the soggy On-Site Group Stadium.

The visitors started brightly under the heavy downpours and saw Lewis Williams fire an effort wide from 20 yards in the fourth minute; whilst Shane Lock’s attempt from a corner nearly caught out Steven Mowthorpe in goal. But they weren’t to be stopped for long as Scott Hassell lashed home their opener after eleven minutes despite the loud offside appeals.

Mowthorpe further saved an angled shot by Williams and the hosts were struggling in possession as they gave the ball away on eighteen minutes; Issiaga Kaba hitting his shot over the crossbar. In response Portchester saw Ryan Pennery have an effort blocked at source and their rebound was cleared away; Charlie Williamson’s free kick also being denied.

Portchester were left shocked after 31 minutes when Andover made it two-nil through Kaba, who picked up a clearance and curled into the posts from distance. The Royals however kept probing as Connor Duffin flicked the bar with a timed header before reducing the arrears shortly before this interval; the striker nestling home a recycled cross inside the net.

Hope for a second half comeback were dented with Andover’s third goal on fifty-one minutes; Matt Scott nodding down inside the far corner after the initial attempt was parried by Mowthorpe. Lee Wort tried his ‘very best’ to reply before the hour mark as he saw two drives blocked within a matter of minutes; the latter saved by the goalkeeper’s diving left foot.

Pennery picked up this mantle and finally got past Matt Fredericks in the sixty-eighth minute as Williamson broke down the left side; his low delivery from the wing being tucked home. Wort and Pennery then saw a series of half chances to get their equaliser with twenty minutes left; the Andover team defending brilliantly and also made ‘tactical substitutions’.

But the Royals’ attacking approach left them vulnerable to the counter attacks and the visitors saw Claudio Herbert run through before being denied by the home keeper. And after more chances involving Wort, Andover killed this match off during added time as Jake Rawkins converted a shot into the top corner from 25 yards to spark the celebrations at 4-2.

Gav Spurway’s side still remain top of the table with their rivals in cup action this midweek and they will hope to bounce back quickly when they play Hamworthy Recreation on Saturday afternoon. In comparison Andover rise up the table to fourth place with these three points and have won seven out of their 10 games so far before they visit Downton (12/10).

PICTURED BY ANDOVER NEW STREET MEDIA: Away players celebrate in corner following this 2nd goal in first half.