Andover 6 Winchester II 4.

ANDOVER claimed an impressive 6-4 win over Winchester II but saw their chances of promotion come to an end.

Goals from Jamie Hacker, Will Turner and Sam Cowley helped secure the win for the town side however results elsewhere eclipsed the possibility of promotion.

The win though took Andover’s unbeaten run to eight matches and victory tomorrow in their final game could see them climb to third.

After the match captain Hacker said: “It is of course disappointing that we can’t get promoted but to be so close at all is remarkable given the start we made to our campaign.

“We have fought harder and played some great hockey and I am very proud of our efforts, we will go into our game tomorrow confident of victory and to finish third would be an incredible achievement.”

Andover got off to a flyer and took the lead in the opening minutes when Turner pounced on a poor pass and finished well after exchanging passes with Hacker.

Winchester levelled but Hacker found the net to retake the lead however it was the visitors who entered half-time in the lead.

Goals from Cowley and two more from Hacker followed soon after the restart to put Andover into the lead. Winchester enjoyed greater possession as the game neared its end and were able to grab a late consolation goal but Andover held their nerve.

Andover host Blandford and Sturminster tomorrow at John Hanson School at 11.30am.

 

Full round up from Andover Hockey Club in Friday's Advertiser