A SUPERB half-way line lob from Alex Wright helped Andover Lions to an important 2-0 victory over the nine men of table-topping Hayling Island on Saturday.

Lions, who have now won all three of their opening games, were boosted by the return of striker Robbie Owen to the starting line up but knew it would be a tricky tie against an opponent who had scored 18 goals in their last three matches.

The opening exchanges were predictably tight and it was a quarter of an hour before the first real effort on goal when the lively Kris Hudson’s volley flashed narrowly over the crossbar.

Two minutes later Andover got the important breakthrough when Darren Paris got forward and played the ball in to Shane Lock who finished well.

Stringer and Owen both had chances before the break while Hudson and Beavis caused chaos down the flanks but Lions could not snatch a second before half-time.

Andover came out strongly again after the interval but their push was delayed when the visiting keeper, Lewis Jordan, took a nasty blow Lions striker Jazz Beavis is brought down for a penalty in their 2-0 win over Hayling Island on Saturday from his own player.

Jordan battled on but less than 10 minutes later it was game over for the keeper when he brought down Jazz Beavis to earn himself a straight red and gift Lions a penalty.

However stand-in keeper, Joe Christmas saved Beavis’s effort.

Hayling Island were reduced to nine men soon after when Jason Turpin scythed down Alex Wright as Lions pushed for a second goal.

Hudson hit the post immediately after and on 75 minutes it looked as if Hayling were to go down to eight.

A very fortunate Joe Christmas, the replacement keeper, received a yellow when bringing down Wright on the edge of the box – with the free-kick being spurned.

Lions were nearly made to pay for their wastefulness when Brett clipped the top of the bar with a fierce drive from 30 yards, leaving the home side feeling nervous despite their two man advantage.

However some magic from Wright, who calmly lifted his shot from the halfway line over the Hayling’s keeper, wrapped up three valuable points for Andover.

Reflecting on the match, manager John Smith said: “Before the game we would have taken a 2-0 win and the way we played in the first half was our best football this season.

“We played far better when they had 11 players on the field and when they lost the two players a lot of our discipline and commitment went.

“But we can’t be upset over this win today; it gives us an early advantage among the front runners and sends out a bit of a message to the other teams."