ANDOVER put a young looking Basingstoke Town side to the sword last Saturday, in an 8-1 pre-season thrashing at the Portway.

The Southern League Premier visitors were expected to send an experienced squad to contest the friendly, but instead were represented by their youth team.

Town’s front men made full use of their advantage, with Reece Rusher and Shane Lock both scoring hat-tricks.

Rusher’s came in a high-scoring first half, in which Town scored seven of their eight goals.

Zach Glasspool and Luke Dempsey both got on the scoresheet, while Lock grabbed two of his three goals before the break.

The visitors were much better in the second period and were rewarded with a consolation goal ten minutes after the restart.

Lock notched Town’s only goal of the second half, to complete his side’s goal glut and his hat-trick.

Last Tuesday night, Town also beat local rivals Andover New Street 3-1 in a charity match in aid of Dementia UK.

The match, played in front of more than 200 people at New Street’s Foxcotte Park Stadium, was a hard fought encounter.

Town set the pace early on and went ahead eight minutes in when Craig Blakeman scored a thirty yard screamer.

Both sides had chances and just before the half hour mark New Street were awarded a penalty.

However Zach Neve’s spot kick was saved by Lloyd Thomas, who palmed the ball out for a corner.

Ten minutes after the restart New Street deservedly equalised.

Former Town star Ollie Yeates made inroads into the Andover Town defence and slotted the ball across to Casson Spencer, who touched the ball home.

Shortly after Zach Glasspool had a goal ruled out before tempers frayed and the referee was forced to dish out a lengthy lecture.

Town took the game away from New Street in the final fifteen minutes, with two late goals.

The first came when a deep cross from the left found new signing Mark Gosney, who scored from close range.

Rusher added the final goal to make it 3-1 with a riffled effort from the edge of the area after Liam Gilbert’s effort was parried to his feet.

Andover Town, who also beat Hedge End Rangers 7-1 on Saturday, kick of their Wessex Premier League season with a game against Bemerton Heath Harlequins tonight (Tuesday).

The match, which is being played at the Portway Stadium, will start at 7.45pm.

Andover New Street meanwhile start their Division One campaign on Saturday, at home to Alton.