Whitchurch through in Open Cup derby (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Coventry at the double as Jamboys edge past the Lions

1:34pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in Andover By Sports editor Kerry Miller

Lions put up a gritty display but were beaten by fine finishing and the difference in fitness when going down 4-1 at Whitchurch in the Andover Open Cup on Tuesday.

The home side fielded a strong side and were soon in front when Paul Coventry was quick to lob a bouncing ball over keeper Andy Burt.

Burt then denied Sam Argent with a point blank save before Coventry chipped the second just short of the half hour.

Alex Campbell was fortunate not to see red just before the break when he brought down Argent and it had consequences as the striker limped off.

Jamie Pollard and Dan Reynolds followed Campbell into the book as Lions struggled to contain a lively United who struck again on the hour when substitute Steve Francis rolled his first touch into an empty net following Burt’s parry of Ashley Childs’ drive.

Darren Paris’s free-kick was nodded over his own bar by Chris Smalley then John Robb’s shot was almost deflected in by Reynolds in what was Lions’ best spell but with 15 minutes left Adam Everiss shot home off the post to clinch the tie after Francis and Louis Macey had broken clear.

Lions endeavour was rewarded in injury time as Lee Cogan converted a spot kick after Reynolds had been bundled over.

Secretary Chris Paris said after: “ It was handy that we had the Whitchurch game to focus on after Saturday as we would have gone to Lyndhurst with it on our minds.

‘We know what we can do and must replicate it there and maintain tempo.”

Lions’ interest in the Trophyman Cup ended ingloriously on Saturday when they were well beaten at Crusaders.

Defensive errors cost them dearly in the first half and not long into the second they were 5-0 down until a Darren Paris penalty and a strike from Josh Hind, set up by 16-year old Harry Hale, gave a semblance of respectability.