TADLEY Calleva turned in a five-star performance on the final day of the season, but it was still not enough to earn them promotion, as they had to settle for third place in the Wessex League Division One despite beating Andover New Street 5-2.

This was because second placed Cowes Sports, as expected won 3-1 at home to Romsey to secure the final promotion spot.

Tadley’s game on Saturday was switched to Stockbridge’s Recreation Ground, as Foxcette Park was being used for a junior tournament.

This did not affect the visitors as they were quickly out of the blocks and opened the scoring in the second minute.

Tadley captain Mario Nurse sent a ball down the left wing and James Tennant’s cross was met by Brett Denham.

New Street then had their first chance as Josh Aspinall hooked his shot wide and then Harvey Redstone dispossessed Nurse on the edge of the area, but could only fire over.

The home side so nearly equalised on 22 minutes, when following a corner, the ball came out to Shane Lock and his driven shot came back off the underside of the bar.

Tadley strike duo of Grant Powell and Denham then both had chances, before Tom Hindmarsh produced a nice save to deny home captain John Robb at the back post.

In a very entertaining end-of-season clash, Tadley doubled their lead on 37 minutes as James Milford scored from close range.

New Street hauled themselves back into the contest four minutes later, as Kieran Lebrun cross saw Casson Spencer’s glancing header hit the net.

Tadley’s response was immediate, as Denham grabbed his second of the game and the same player was only denied a first-half hat-trick by the woodwork.

New Street started the second-half the better, as Robb headed over from Zak McNally’s free kick, before they made it 3-2.

This came from a corner which saw sub Robert Readman score with a well struck low shot.

Once again Tadley hit back quickly as Spencer Barlow’s lovely lay-back saw a sweet strike from Grant Powell hit the roof of the net from 20 yards out.

New Street so nearly scored a third goal just after the hour, after sub Prince Xhemla’s shot hit the post, but from this Tadley broke out, and Denham turned provider with a lovely cross to the back post which Tennant buried into the net.

Visiting sub Daniel Charsley then fired just over after good work from Denham and Powell.

New Street’s McNally then tested Hindmarsh with a low shot and Robb produced a late ditch tackle to stop sub Adam Alliston getting his shot away.

The final chance fell to the home side, but Harry Lawton fired wide from a good position, as Tadley completed a league double over New Street.