Hodgson at the double for Seconds (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Gap closes as Seconds hit form once more

3:40pm Tuesday 12th March 2013 in Andover

Andover II 3 Alton 1.

THE IIs continued their good run of form with another fine win on Saturday. With no substitutes they were soon in trouble when two players picked up injuries but still went 1-0 up with a great combination from Sam Goucher and Ivan Daley.

Alton soon levelled but strong tackling by the well organised defence prevented Alton adding to their solitary goal. The second half saw Andover start to organise better and string together more sustained attacks and it soon paid off when Matt Hodgson netted twice.

This win closes the gap between the two teams above them and sees them closer to climbing out of the possible relegation zone.

Andover Ladies 5 Soton University 3. THE Ladies faced tough opposition in a young and fast University team, however they continued on their unbeaten run to maintain their six point advantage at the top of the league with only three games left. The opening exchanges were frantic and Andover opened the scoring with a powerful strike from Anika Drage, following a well placed pass by Rhea Li. They quickly doubled their lead when player of the match Lizzie Vincent deflected home Laura Molloy’s pin point pass from their first penalty corner but within minutes Southampton dispatched a penalty corner of their own.

Andover maintained their two goal advantage when captain Drage dispatched Maddy Loftus' pass but Southampton equalised before half-time with two further penalty corners. Before the break Anika Drage was injured and unable to continue but Andover calmed their nerves and Vincent scored her second which she quickly converted to a hat-trick with a reverse stick strike. The Ladies travel to Basingstoke tomorrow where they hope to secure the league title.

More hockey in Friday's Advertiser.