Upham 2 Andover Lions 4.

Andover Lions returned to form in emphatic style with a fine 4-2 victory at Upham.

Danny Lewis led the way with a master-class in midfield in what was undoubtedly his best performance since signing on in November.

Lewis created the first chance when setting Dan Reynolds away and only a last ditch tackle from Sandford saved the home team before Chris Boothe had a header cleared off the line from the resultant Lewis corner.

Despite the encouraging start the home team took a surprise lead when Lions were caught in possession and Keiran Shalloe rounded Sam Baxter and rolled the ball into an empty net.

Reynolds and Darren Paris shot wide but Lewis got them back on terms on 37 minutes with a sublime goal. Having won the ball from an Upham throw in he looked up to see the keeper off his line and calmly chipped him from 30 yards.

Two minutes later Lions took the lead in the most bizarre circumstances. An Upham defender inexplicably lashed the ball back towards Sumaili in the Upham goal and the keeper caught the ball that was heading goalward. The referee awarded an indirect free-kick for the pass back and Spencer had the quickness of thought to take the ball from the keeper and pass it to Paris to roll into the open net from two yards out.

At the start of the second half Lions conceded again when Shalloe levelled and it was then a test of their character which they passed with honours as they took control of the match.

Lewis played a superb pass to Spencer and last season’s top scorer lashed the ball in from 12 yards to regain the lead and on 75 minutes Spencer got his second after combining with Reynolds.

The match ended just after Upham skipper Rob Pfeiffer was sent off for a second yellow after a late challenge on Baxter.

The Lions remain fifth after their first victory for a month but they still have a lot to say in who wins Division One this season with Bush Hill and Hamble being the next two opponents.

Boss Ray Cozze was understandably much happier after this week’s victory. “That was more like it. We turned in a good all round performance but Danny Lewis was different class today and Casson Spencer was excellent up front and never stopped running.

‘Hopefully we can pick ourselves up after a bad run and finish strongly on the back of this confidence boost.”