Quick goals end New Street challenge (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Quick goals end New Street challenge

11:38am Friday 14th October 2011 in Andover

Team Solent 2 Andover New Street 1

Two goals in the last five minutes of the first half broke Andover New Street when they travelled to meet newly promoted Team Solent.

This was Team Solent’s very first home match in the Sydenhams League, but it was played at the borrowed ground of Eastleigh FC.

The visitors welcomed back Dave Tasker in goal after injury, but were without the midfield influence of Pa Touray who was suspended.

Team Solent had the better of the first half proceedings with Adam Gray twice going close as the students pressed hard for the opening goal.

This duly arrived in the 41st minute. Once again, not for the first time this season, the visitors defence was caught out when Scott Kinge ran into space to head home a Will Tickle right-wing corner from close range.

A second goal followed in first half stoppage time when Solent were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out in a central area. Leo Churms hit the direct kick firm and low and into the visitors net which seemed to catch Tasker flatfooted.

The experienced Stuart Anderson was dominant at the back for Andover New Street, but he was also proving to be a threat to the students defence at set-pieces, particularly when his dangerous downward header forced Solent defender Scott Bonner to concede a corner.

From that corner kick the referee noticed that Stuart Anderson was prevented from jumping for a header by a defender and awarded a penalty which Bobby Swayne successfully converted in the 49th minute.

Play was fairly even from there and both sides had chances.

The two goalkeepers had to make good saves, notably Solent's Sam Cousins denying Dan Sullivan and Street keeper Dave Tasker keeping out successive shots from Mike Wheeler.

The ever busy Sedu was also a threat to the home side, but was unable to secure that vital goal.