ANDOVER Town’s first match for two weeks saw them get back to winning ways against struggling Christchurch.

They were without five players suspended and before the game there was a minutes’ silence in memory of one of the Andover sponsors and supporter, Marion Stephens, who sadly passed away recently.

Lewis Benson was making a welcome return and combined with Cameron Hough to find Ike Robertson whose shot was dealt with by the visitors’ defence, then Benson found Claudio Herbert who shot just wide.

With 20 minutes gone Town struck when an Alex Dockree free-kick found the head of Joe Woodward who scored, much to the delight of his team mates.

Herbert went close again after another fine run and he was soon rewarded after some superb interplay when he latched onto a ball from Hough and left a couple in his wake to find the bottom corner to put Andover two up.

Lewis Benson was then pulled down just outside the penalty area but Robertson’s kick was wide and Benson was again involved combining with Dockree and Hough before Herbert again went close.

Andover were dominant and with half-time beckoning, a free-kick was headed skywards but the referee spotted a foul on Ryan Inskip and Bradley Benson stepped up to put the home side three-up from the spot.

Despite Christchurch’s spirited efforts, Andover’s defence held firm and dealt well with any threat, and Jake Wellesley-David in goal was rarely troubled.

The second half started with the visitors having a penalty waved away and they were beginning to have more possession and went close. Some interplay in midfield found Herbert whose cross found Robertson but he fell and his appeal for a penalty was waved away by the referee.

Christchurch were still trying desperately to get in striking distance but were restricted to long range shots.

Dockree had a fierce shot well blocked and an Inskip free-kick nearly found Robertson but Shane Murphy in the opposition goal dealt well with the threat.

Christchurch finally tested Wellesley- David but he brought off a great save to deny them a consolation goal.

Full-back Tommy Wright’s shot was turned around for a corner by Murphy but Herbert’s corner met by substitute Oli Yates who headed home.

Town welcomed the three points and another clean sheet in front of a crowd of 91 fans.