Andover Town have a free weekend due to not being involved in the FA Cup which begins at the Extra-Preliminary stage which will give them time to get a number of players back to fitness after knocks including Michael Dixon, Lewis Benson, Ryan Inskip, Matt Scott and Cole Hinchcliffe.

However the squad will not be inactive as manager Neil Benson has arranged a full scale friendly with new Miton Town at Sparsholt College on Saturday, ko 11am. The senior squad will play the first 45 minutes with Elite and triallists involved after the break, which will give him the chance to assess things before Wednesday’s trip to Verwood Town for a league game, replays permitting.

Following the opening games with Blackfield and Langley and Follands Sports (report inside), Town went to Fawley on Friday evening for the rearranged game and went down to a single Joe Wood goal midway through the first half.

Benson said: “I had seen them play before and they looked a workmanlike outfit but injuries to Matt Scott and Ryan Inskip didn’t help and we had no luck.”

Claudio Herbert hit the post from distance and Ike Robertson also found the woodwork with the home keeper pulling off some outstanding saves the Brad Benson and Robertson went close with free-kicks as Fawley rode their luck and claimed the points.

Last year’s player of the year Lewis Benson missed the last two games with an ankle inury but is hopeful of returning on Wednesday.

The friendly at the college tomorrow will not be easy to attend and the main road into the site is currently impassable and supporters are advised to enter via the village itself which will be signposted.