MvF Andover 11’s

Division 2:
Basingstoke Reserves 3 - 1 Andover MvF

Andover made the short trip across to Basingstoke today off the back of securing a playoff final spot last time out. Neither team could move from their current positions but both wanting to go out on high.

The match started a bit cagey with both teams having to grow into their chances. Andover were creating some great passing without really causing Basingstoke any problems.

The opening goal went to the home side however as Marc Ferguson stepped up from the middle to find winger Connor Andrews, who slotted past the keeper on the angle.

It took a while for the second goal but it was again Basingstoke who doubled their lead before halftime when Sam Davis put in a looping ball which the keeper tried to control, leading to Christian Walker to steal and place into an empty net.

Basingstoke started the second half brightly too, Walker winning a free kick on the left hand side of the Andover box. Up stepped manager Steve Beaumont to fire in from the angle which the keeper got behind but there was too much on the ball to keep out.

Andover finally started to find more chances and make more positive attacks. One of those attacks led to them getting their consolation goal when…

Manager Richard Farley held off 3 players who were giving pressure but his quick feet meant he was able to slip it to Adi Cristea, who in turn passed it to Dan Sammarco to scored.

The game petered out for a well deserved Basingstoke win, with the depleted Andover team surely looking ahead to their Playoff final in 2 weeks!

Division 2:
Isle of Wight MvF 8 - 2 Andover MvF

With both teams guaranteed a playoff place going into this fixture, the question was which team would still be on the hunt for the title after the 90 minutes had finished.

IoW got off to the quicker start as Kev Cox buries his shot home after a good ball in by Sam Yates across goal.

Andover responded though as Chris House scores inside the box, a low shot to the bottom corner, assisted by a cross from Dan Sammarco.

The islanders struck again through Sam Gulliver, who was put through by Colin Jackson, to then hold off the defender and make it 2-1 to IoW.

IoW then stretched their lead after a long mazy run from
Max Napier is finished off nicely, the ball assisted by Russ Brodie.

They then increased their lead again as Sam Yates fired home a penalty after being fouled in the box.

Andover then got a penalty of their own to reduce the deficit but the usually reliable Chris House has his shot saved by Matt Parker in the IoW goal.

Andover did then manage a goal from open play as Ovi Tampu scores from an indirect free kick, 8 yards out from a backpass foul, assisted by House.

With the game at only 4-2 at halftime, the second half was still anyone’s.

However IoW struck again with Napier who gets his second of the game and assisted by Rob Iley.

IoW’s Cox then buries another home after a nice touch from Brodie.

Ex Andover player Ben Yates then stepped up for IoW’s second penalty to only blast his kick high and wide.

With the score at 6-2 the game was over, but the scoring continued for IoW as Cox finished off a lovely move with a great ball from Iley.

And lastly Napier finished off his hattrick netting number 8 for IoW, assisted again by Iley.

Not the result that Andover wanted but they now know they will be playing in the Playoff Final on June 2nd.

Isle of Wight still be their opponents that day but they are still going for gold next Sunday.

Division 2:
Andover MvF 6 - 5 Detoxford Reserves

As the game kicked off Andover played well and pressed the away team hard, on the 11 minute mark the deadlock was broken as Andover opened the scoring when Dan Sammarco flicked it through for Chris Houseys first goal. He calmly slotted it past the keeper.

Andover carried on the pressure and around the 21st minute Joel Kirby scores an absolute worldie from near the centre circle after receiving a Harry Coughlin throw in. The ball going straight over the keeper and just inside the crossbar.

Detoxford didn’t let this get to them as they started to put pressure on the home team. Half hour in and Sam Tyler ends up through on goal with an open net but slips and put the ball high. Reprieve came 3 minutes later though as Alex Carvell-Turner put in a beautifully inward cross for Tyler to tap it home on the volley.

Andover then found themselves on the front foot again as Joe Donworth ran into the box after Sammarco picks out his run and Donworth finished with a low left foot shot.

With half time looming and Detoxford looked to hit back again with some good football around the midfield, the ball is then played through as Tyler gets a toe to it and it falls perfectly into the path of Shaun Owen who slots it home calmly.

Half time and it was 3-2 to Andover.

As the second half kicks off, Andover gets the game moving quickly with a quick goal from Chris House, after a great through ball from Ewan Foakes-Tiffin, Housey timed the run to perfection, then chipped it over the keeper on the half volley.

Andover got a 5th when Cam Sloan hit a through ball with the outside of his boot to a running Joel Kirby to finish it off.

On the hour mark and Detoxford look to start a come back with a run from Sana Moorthy down the right hand wing finds a low pass to Owen to score his second of the game.

Less than 2 minutes later and Kieran Abbott swings in a corner finding the head of Owen to finish off a perfect hatrick for the day. Bringing the score back to 5-4 to the home side.

Andover then started to apply the pressure again as Donworth scores a power shot from outside the box from a Sloan pass.

Detoxford got the last goal of the goal when an Owen cross, knocked on by the head of Tyler finds Carvell-Turner with an open goal.

The rest of the game was played out with a few chances at either end but nobody able to find the back of the net.

Division 2:
Andover MvF 7 - 4 Eastbourne MvF

Playoff hopefuls Andover welcomed Eastbourne today for a second division matchday 8 fixture. The game was full of goals and excitement with Andover bagging 7 goals on their way to victory.

First up Chris House lobbed the keeper from just outside the box for their opening goal. Then they got a bit of luck with an OG by Eastbourne Manager Jack Scott after a cross came in by Dan Sammarco.

Their third was a Ewan Foakes-Tiffin power shot after receiving a ball from Dan Sammarco. George Willets amazing running header from a Chris House corner went in for their fourth.

Andover manager Richard Farley got on the scoresheet with a left foot shot from just inside the box, the ball in from a Chris House corner.

F**d Cisa got the Andover sixth after collecting a throughball by Farley, then one on one with the Eastbourne keeper, he slotted home.

Adi Cristea slid the last Andover goal home after F**d Cisa put it across the box for him to latch on to.

Eastbourne managed 4 of their own goals along with some fine saves to keep the Andover scoring down.

Kai Hunnisett was one of the Eastbourne star men as he picked up 2 goals and 1 assist.

He was only outdone by fellow teammate Mark Ballard who supplied both of Hunnisett’s goals whilst getting a brace of his own.

Both teams played a good game but Andovers attacking prowess saw them enjoy a home win.

Division 2:
Worthing MvF 6 - 5 Andover MvF

It was a very wet and windy evening under the floodlights that set the scene for a clash which would see the winner top the table. Worthing drew first blood with Paul Mayhew playing Jamie Cole through to lob the Andover keeper to put Worthing 1 up inside 2 minutes.

It only took Andover 2 minutes to respond though as Morgan Foakes-Tiffin crossed in for Adi Cristea to finish. After a very hard fought period with Worthing hitting post, it was Andover who went ahead on 20 minutes after a bad throw from the keeper left Andover’s Chris House free to finish.

Five minutes later and Andover went two ahead when an attempted cross from Lee Farley found its way into the top corner.

Worthing pegged one back when a pass from Chris Benham found Cole on 35 minutes and he fired home. But just before half time Andover managed to stretch their lead again when Lee Farley’s cross actually found his man F**d Cisa, who finished it off.

Second half got underway and the rain was not letting up and the tackles were flying in from both sides. It was Worthing who got the next goal when Lewis Craddock found Cole to complete his hatrick. Now just one behind and Worthing’s main man Cole beats off a couple of defenders and fires in from 20 yards to bring the scores level.

With emotions running high, the game became unsavoury and a clash between players led to raised hands. Then more niggling tackles resulted in players grabbing each other and ending up on the ground. The ref in an attempt to control the game gave the option of both teams making subs, which was decided best by both teams.

With around 20 minutes left of the match Worthings Cole jinks past 3 Andover defenders and is brought down inside the box for a penalty. He gets up, dusts himself off and scores, putting Worthing back one ahead.

Andover wasn’t finished though as they come back themselves to equalise at 5 a piece when Morgan Foakes-Tiffin found Cisa for his second of the game.

However, with only 5 minutes left Worthings Cole turns provider by running down the right wing and firing the ball to edge of the 6 yard box for Paul Mayhew to fire in from close range and score the winner!

Andover still found time to hit the post and crossbar by Chris House and Cam Sloan, Cisa also missed a sitter for his hatrick! But the game ended with Worthing emerging victorious.

21st Jan 24.

SL Cup - Quarterfinal:
Basingstoke 1st team MvF 4 - 0 Andover MvF

Today was the first quarterfinal in the Cup and Basingstoke’s first team welcomed Andover from division 2 to the Everest Academy.

Andover come into the game in good form but didn’t get many chances to showcase that form as Basingstoke dominated proceedings from start to finish.

It took 15 mins for Basingstoke to start the scoring with some neat build up play from the back leading to a precision chip ball from Captain and CB Troy Weston into the path of striker Rob Perrett to place beyond the Andover keeper.

Half hour in and Basingstoke doubled their lead. Perrett this time turning provider as he skipped passed Andovers midfield to lay the ball off into the path of Dave Purt, who at the edge of the box, scored the goal of the game by striking the ball sweetly into the top corner! 💥

Andover also took a couple of knocks on the first half too just to add to their worries in the second half.

The second half started with Basingstoke getting a third inside 10 mins when Perrett picked up another assist by sliding in the fresh Craig Saban Smith who calmly slotted home.

The last goal came 10 mins from time after some dogged determination from Captain Weston down the left saw him square the ball across the box. After a little pinball with the Andover defence, Saban Smith popped out with the ball a couple of yards from goal to rifle home.

Basingstoke progress to the next round, the semifinals, but who will they get when the draw is made after next week’s games!

7th Jan 24.

Division 2:
Andover MvF 8 - 0 Basingstoke Reserves

The first game of the new year turned out to be a one sided affair with the home team getting the win.

Andover started off brightly with Lee Farley placing a long header into Chris House to slot home after just 9 mins to give the home side the lead. Then Dan Sammarco slid a through ball to Chris House on 11 mins, Houseys 2nd of the game.

Andovers Sammarco then assisted again playing a long ball to F**d Cisa on the right hand side, keeper comes out and it’s a chase to the ball, Cisa gets there first and slipped it past the keeper.

A long ball from Andovers Joel Kirby at the halfway line to Paul Day who controlled it well and lobbed the out running keeper from just inside the box. 4 nil at the break.

The second half started with Andovers Housey passing it to Brad Lancefield, a few turns and he shoots from the edge of the box into the corner of the goal. A first 11’s goal for Brad.

Then Cisa collects the ball out wide, runs into the box and squares it across goal for Paul Day to tap in for his 2nd. Unselfishly, Cisa again ran into the box from the right wing and rather than go for glory, he squares it again to an awaiting Paul Day for his hat trick.

Last up and Andover manager Richard Farley receives the ball from his son Lee Farley near the centre circle, a postive forward run followed by a delightful through ball, bypassing 3 opposing players to a running F**d Cisa to shoot home for his second and the teams last goal.

A well spirited game by all involved but one the Basingstoke side will look to forget and move on from.

Division 2:
Detoxford Reserves 2 - 7 Andover MvF

A highly anticipated game that was dictated by Andover who were winning most of the 1st and 2nd balls, they managed to get in behind Detoxfords defence on many occasions, creating a plethora of chances.

Andover’s Lee Farley scored the opener with his knee as he reacted quicker than everyone else from a corner by Adam Ricketts.

Andover’s second came when Chris House got the first of his hat trick after an Aaron Nicholson cross, Housey found the corner of the goal with a volley.

Chris House got another one for Andover in the first half from a corner by Adam Ricketts, the ball bounced a few times and he managed to sneak it in at the far post.

Andover’s F**d Cisa then did a Messi style run from the halfway line, fouled in the box but still managed to find the net as he was being brought down. A goal assisted by George Willets.

Detoxford did manage a goal of their own in the first half too when Sana Moorthy found Dan Hackett to get a goal of his own.

The second half continued much in the same vein as Andover’s F**d Cisa played in by Adi Cristea for F**d calmly finishing it.

Andovers sixth came when Adam Ricketts beat his man in the box and earnt a penalty, Joe Lake stepped up and placed it in the bottom corner.

The Oxford side then got their second of the game when Dan Hackett turned provider for Sam Tyler to finish.

Andover finished the scoring with Chris House getting his third from a cross By Dean Carpenter. The skipper on the day, bagged his hatrick and kept the flat ball (which was the reason for all the misses).

Andovers determination to win the battle in midfield and keeping the ball better paid dividends with some great passing football and helped run them out as winners.

Both teams are done for 2023 and will enjoy the festive break!

Division 2:
Eastbourne MvF 1 - 3 Andover MvF

Andover travelled to Eastbourne today and took a respectable 14 players down for the 2.5 hour drive.

The game started well for both teams but Andovers defence and midfield prevented Eastbourne from playing their football for much of the first half with Eastbourne getting only 1 shot wide away in the first 45.

Andover however, were 3-0 up by half time and if it was not for keeper John ‘Monkey’ Wootton the score could have been worse for Eastbourne.

Andover took the lead around 15 minutes in by a great strike, 20 yards out by Adi Cristea, he was setup by Chris House, Adi ran past an opponent and powered it home.

Andovers second came after a foul by Eastbourne 20 yards out resulted in a free kick. Chris House placed the ball and sent it top bins.

Dean Carpenter then ran down the line on the offensive and sent in a great cross for Andover, stroked home off the head of Chris House. 3 nil to Andover at the break.

At the break Eastbourne rung the changes expecting the game to be dead and buried, but a wonder strike from 30+ yards lifted the Eastbourne spirits. Jack Scott of Eastbourne received the ball from a throw in, battled with opposing manager Richard Farley but managed to thunder a cracking strike into the top right corner!

Eastbourne came very close to a second goal when Jack Scott wiggled through into the box and played the ball across to Harry Murphy who shot first time straight at the Andover keeper, Matty Moose Hawkins.

Andover then came close to a 4th when Lee Farleys header went inches wide from the back post after a cross by Aaron Nicholson.

The game was unfortunately overshadowed by the sad news that Eastbourne’s Ian Cant, just returning from injury, went down again, this time fracturing his hand. Ian has decided to call it time.

Both Eastbourne and Andover (along with the league) wish Ian a speedy recovery and hope to see Ian back on the pitch in some capacity soon.

The game was played in good spirits though and both teams go home with tired legs!

Eastbourne welcome relative neighbours Worthing, next at their place whilst Andover continue the travels north to Detoxford.

SL Cup - Round of 16:
Andover MvF 4 - 1 Basingstoke Reserves

A much anticipated game from Division 2 rivals that usually produces tight games with a few goals!

The first half was just that, with only one goal. That goal went to the travelling team Basingstoke when their winger Tim Cuthbert cut inside to play a ball into Manager Steve Beaumont, who’s first touch sat up for him to lift the ball over the keeper from 25 yards out!

The second half started with Andover flying out the traps and equalising inside a meeting. Aaron Nicholson got down the right and played a ball across the box which missed everyone to set up Adi Cristea free at the back to calmly power home from 12 yards.

Andover then took the lead moments later when Aaron Nicholson then set up Shaun Hawkins. Their third goal came mid way through the second half when a deflected ball sat in the path for Joel Kirby to strike first time.

Andover then polished off a great second half performance with a fourth goal late on when Matthew Gethings supplied a lay off for Aaron Nicholson to get a goal himself.

Andover will now be watching the draw tomorrow with interest whilst Basingstoke Reserves refocus back to the league.

Division 2: MvF Andover 4 - 4 MvF Worthing

Dan Sammarco scored on the 7th min for Andover after Dan pounces on a keeper mistake and slots it into the bottom corner.

Dan Sammarco goal (Paul Day assist) in the 13th min. The cross from Paul was met by Dan who poked it home into the bottom right corner, was it meant to be a header?

Worthing goal scored by Tom Yates in the 16th min with a great strike into the bottom left corner after being set up by Mark Stucky.

Chris House goal for Andover (Matt Gethings assist) in the 19th min, Gethro breaks through the midfield and slots a pass through to Housey who takes a touch and beats the keeper at his near post.

F**d Cisa goal (Matt Gethings assist) 33rd min, Gethro plays the ball to F**d who stands the defender up, pops the ball through his legs and slots a lovely finish into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Ref sends a Worthing player to the sin bin for 10 minutes for shouting 'You c@*t' at him after a decision went against Worthing. Ref informed he misheard, what was shouted was actually, 'You CAN'T' ... was there a U in the word used?!?! ... sin bin penalty revoked. Player stays on, Ref apologises!

HT Andover 4-1 Worthing.

Game takes a different turn from the first half, Worthing become more physical and Andover change formation and personnel the middle of the park.

Worthing goal 53rd min - Jamie Cole attacked down the left hand side, beat a few players and slotted in the bottom corner after being played in by Dean Parsons.

Harry Chang Chao handball for Andover. Worthing pen in the 62nd min - Jamie Cole with his second as he scored in the bottom right corner.

64th min, Jamie Poole for Worthing does a dangerous sliding scissor mistackle on Aaron Nicholson which earns Jamie a yellow card and he's subbed.

64th minute, Andover’s linesman is sent out of the ground by the ref for abusive language towards the subbed Jamie. Rightly so, linemans is a former MvF player but not a part of the Andover team.

Hard tackles now come a plenty, followed by words, squaring up and general nonsense from both teams after certain tackles.

Worthing goal 75th min - midfield battle won by Worthing. Worthing attack and Jamie Cole gets his hatrick after rifling a shot into the top left corner. Another assist for Mark Stucky.

78th min Joel Kirby of Andover and Mark Stucky for Worthing have a head to head scrap after fighting for the ball! Joel given a red card and Mark a yellow.

87th min big chance for Andover, Aaron squares it across the box and Housey was inches away from reaching the pass.

FT Andover 4-4 Worthing

A tenacious roller coaster of a game to round off a fantastic set of fixtures in Division 2 today! ⚽️