Andover Town continued their pre-season preparations with a 6-1 victory at Hampshire Premier League Winchester Castle.

Manager Neil Benson was without a number of his main squad and the first half started evenly with both sides testing each other out. However, early chances fell to Gunner Yates whose good interplay with Nic Turpin nearly produced an early goal but a weak finish was no problem for the home goalkeeper. Turpin continued to make his presence felt in the Castle defence and the industrious Lewis Benson tested the keeper, but it was Yates again who brought out a fine save from Castle’s busy keeper.

Castle were testing the visitors defence but it held firm with Alex Dockree keeping a tight rein before Yates crossed to the far post to find Caludio Herbert who headed home at from a tight angle.

Town added a second when Turpin chased a through ball and caught the bounce well to head over the advancing keeper then from an indirect free-kick in the home penalty area Benson made it three.

However, Castle’s persistence was rewarded when some fine play ended with a lob to make it 3-1.

Neil Benson rang the changes for the second half and substitute Ike Robertson scored the fourth after some clever play. Ten minutes later he added the fifth before late on young Tommy Wright netted with a fierce strike to complete the scoring.

Town drew 1-1 with Wessex Division One side Amesbury Town on Thursday evening at Sparsholt.

Town began well and for 30 minutes passed the ball well with Michael Dixon putting his side in the lead late in the half.

Amesbury came into the game more and Sparsholt College boy Keiron Stephens equalised from a defensive error in the second half.

Town play two games over the weekend, starting Friday at Ashford Town (Middx) before travelling to Hamworthy United on Saturday.