ANDOVER New Street suffered a heavy defeat to promotion chasing Tadley Calleva on Saturday, losing 5-2 at the Stockbridge Recreation Ground.

Street, who were unable to play at Foxcette Park due to a junior tournament, conceded within just two minutes as Tadley captain Mario Nurse sent a ball down the left wing and James Tennant’s Cross was met by Brett Denham.

New Street then had their first chance as Josh Aspinall hooked his shot wide and then Harvey Redstone dispossessed Nurse on the edge of the area, but could only fire over.

The home side so nearly equalised on 22 minutes, when following a corner, the ball came out to Shane Lock and his driven shot came back off the underside of the bar.

Tadley strike duo of Grant Powell and Denham then both had chances, before Tom Hindmarsh produced a nice save to deny New Street captain John Robb at the back post.

In a very entertaining end-of-season clash, Tadley doubled their lead on 37 minutes as James Milford scored from close range.

New Street hauled themselves back into the contest four minutes later, as Kieran Lebrun cross saw Casson Spencer’s glancing header hit the net.

Tadley’s response was immediate, as Denham grabbed his second of the game and the same player was only denied a first-half hat-trick by the woodwork.

New Street started the second-half the better, as Robb headed over from Zak McNally’s free kick, before Robert Readman made it 3-2 with a well struck low shot from a corner.

Once again Tadley hit back quickly as Spencer Barlow’s lovely lay-back saw a sweet strike from Grant Powell hit the roof of the net from 20 yards out.

New Street so nearly scored a third goal just after the hour, after sub Prince Xhemla’s shot hit the post, but from this Tadley broke out, and Denham turned provider with a lovely cross to the back post which Tennant buried into the net.

Visiting sub Adam Alliston then fired just over after good work from Denham and Powell.

New Street’s McNally then tested Hindmarsh with a low shot and Robb produced a late ditch tackle to stop Alliston getting his shot away.

The final chance fell to the home side, but Harry Lawton fired wide from a good position, as Tadley fell just shy of promotion to the Wessex Premier League.