ANDOVER Town progressed to the first round of the FA Vase with a hard-fought 3-0 win away at Bemerton Heath Harlequins.

Despite the scoreline the Portway-based side were forced to battle hard for the win against a side they had comfortably beaten in the league earlier this season.

Bemerton started the brightest with a few early chances but failed to seriously test Town goalkeeper Jamie Bray in the opening ten minutes.

However the home side thought they had broken the deadlock after 12 minutes when they found the net, only for the linesman to flag for offside.

The narrow escape sparked Town into life and four minutes later the away side were ahead when Chris Onoufriou scored his first goal for the club.

A poor clearance from a corner landed at the feet of the striker who cleanly struck the ball into the bottom corner from 20 yards out.

Town gained confidence after the goal and could have doubled their advantage shortly after the half-hour mark when the referee awarded a penalty for a light tussle between a Bemerton defender and Sammy Pekun.

A bemused Bemerton protested the decision but the referee stood firm.

However Jordan O’Donell’s spotkick was easily saved by the Bemerton goalkeeper in what was perhaps the fairest outcome.

Blakeman went close shortly after but the only further action was a series of bad-tempered exchanges which saw both ‘Quins Olanipekun and Town’s Lewis Benson receive an extensive dressing down from the official.

Town continued to press after the break and 10 minutes later doubled their advantage from a free kick awarded after Odeh was fouled on the edge of the area.

Bemerton protested the decision and were further frustrated when Liam Gilbert’s subsequent effort found the bottom corner courtesy of a heavy deflection.

The two-goal lead quickly became three after Lewis Benson picked himself up from a heavy challenge to hit home the resulting free kick high into the ‘Quins goal.

Neil Benson rang the changes as he sought to provide pitch time for players in Town’s new 4-1-4-1 formation with Yates, Dockree and Swayne replacing Pekun, Lewis Benson and Onoufriou respectively.

The game proceeded with little further incident, although it was ‘Quins who had the final opportunity to claw a goal back.

Both sides appeared bemused as a fierce shot appeared to hit Bobby Swayne in the chest from close range, only for the referee to award a penalty.

However Jamie Bray, having had little to do all afternoon, dived well to his right to keep out the spotkick and preserve a third successive clean sheet for Town.

Andover now face a home tie against Sussex County League side Newhaven in the first round of the FA Vase on October 31.