AFTER several disappointing cup results Andover Town returned to league action and trounced Bashley 5-1 to record their sixth victory from as many league games, writes GRAHAM COUSINS.

Man of the match Mike Gosney scored a hat-trick and with a little more luck could have had three more whilst Zach Glasspool chipped in with a brace as Town recorded their best result of the season so far.

Before the start of the game, club vice-chairman Chris White was presented with the Wessex League’s team of the month award for August by league chairman Ian Hoare. Sometimes an award of this nature is often seen as a millstone around the recipient's team's neck and a few of the Town faithful may have thought that way when Bashley scored an early goal.

After an opening salvo from Andover, Bashley worked their way down the left and when the cross came in Ben Bolton shrugged off his marker to fire in just inside the post.

Bashley’s Mike Edgar became the busier of the two goalkeepers but he could do little about Andover’s equaliser.

Jason Silver put in a neat cross to Glasspool who laid the ball off to Gosney to complete the move and score.

The way the game developed further goals became a strong possibility and it was Andover who proved the point. The goal arrived shortly before the break and Gosney’s finish owed much to Glasspool’s assist.

Bashley made a strong start to the second half as Luke Dempsey had to clear off the line after Kieran McHardy misjudged a long ball into his area and then Harrison White skimmed the crossbar as Andover continued to ride their luck.

Just before the hour mark Andover won a midfield tussle which allowed Gosney to stride away unchallenged and slot home to claim his hat-trick.

Fifteen minutes remained when Liam Gilbert displayed some ball aerobatics and was fouled inside the area. Glasspool duly despatched the spot-kick, sending Edgar the wrong way.

Two minutes into added time, Bashley gave Glasspool far to much space and he grabbed the chance to score his second goal of the match.

Town booked their place in second round of the Andover Open Cup after surviving their second penalty shoot out of the season.

A 3-3 draw against South Wonston Swifts in normal time meant the heroics of McHardy were needed for the hosts to advance.

In a much changed Town side goals from Craig Blakeman, Reece Rusher and Alex Dockree were cancelled out and spot-kicks were needed to decide a winner.

In the shoot out two excellent saves by McHardy meant South Wonston were only able to put away one spot kick, whilst McAulie Stubbs, Dockree, and Javier Santafe-Vivo all made no mistake for Town.

Andover travel to Cowes Sports tomorrow