Awayday joy for Lions (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Lions win sets them up for cup double header

12:20pm Monday 18th February 2013 in Andover By Sports editor Kerry Miller

Andover Lions did their promotion hopes no harm on Saturday when two first half goals were enough to take the points at a boggy Michelmersh and Timsbury.

Lions' boss Paul George was relieved at the outcome after the home side staged a strong come back and he admitted that his side were hanging on at the end.

“We have only played one game all year and have had nothing for five weeks so my message was ‘just get the three points'. The only game we have played was a good performance against Durley and it was crucial we got some kind of performance at Michelmersh.”

Lions have a series of big games coming up including cup ties at Crusaders and Whitchurch and league games against the three teams who have beaten them this season.

“We were almost at full strength on Saturday and it was Casson Spencer’s last game before he signs dual registration forms and joins New Street. The pitch was boggy and horrible with a slope but we were 2-0 up at half-time and should have been out of sight with half a dozen.

‘To their credit Michelmersh battled and we were hanging on at the end.”

Spencer and Jamie Pollard were on target for Lions who travel to Kings Worthy on Saturday to take on Crusaders in the Trophyman Cup then next Tuesday night go up the road to Whitchurch for their Andover Open Cup tie.