ANDOVER Hockey Club Mens Firsts lost 3-2 at home to promotion chasing London Edwardians in their penultimate game of the season.

The firsts, who are all but set for a ninth-placed finish in the Hampshire and Surrey Regional Division Two, faced a difficult task against the Edwardians, who lie just two points off the promotion places.

And it was the visitors who took the lead from some sloppy defending from a short corner allowed Edwardians an easy goal.

The visitors scored in almost identical fashion minutes later before taking advantage of Andover’s determination to pull a goal back, hitting them on them on the counter to make it 3-0.

Andover did manage to pull a goal back before half time with a break of their own, finished off with a fine reverse shot by Olly Bridge.

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(Action from Andover Men's 3-2 defeat to London Edwardians)

The hosts maintained the momentum after the break and pressured Edwardians from the off.

Andover eventually got their reward when Liam O’Sullivan recovered a broken down short corner well and scored to make it 3-2.

Andover pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t break down Edwardians who returned to London with an important three points.

Meanwhile Andover Seconds suffered a humiliating 10-1 defeat away at Southampton Seconds to put them in real danger of relegation.

The hosts scored early on to rattle Andover before finding the net a further two times in a quick-fire double Southampton netted twice more before the break but a stern team talk at half time led to an improved performance in the second half.

Andover scored after the break but this was quickly squandered as Southampton added a further five goals to condemn their visitors to a heavy defeat.

The seconds are safe of automatic relegation from Hampshire Division Two but a win against Isle of Wight next Saturday would secure their place in the league if the relegation places are extended.

Andover Thirds finished their season on a high with a 2-0 away win at New Forest Seconds.

Despite having no substitutes available the Thirds performed well in what was an open first half.

However neither side could break the deadlock in the opening 35.

The second half was notably more physical and robust as both sides looked to end their season on a positive note.

Andover finally broke the deadlock through Matt Browry’s excellent finish before man-of-the-match Tom Lee sealed the win with a well taken goal.