Hungry Lions win again (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Hungry Lions win again

1:04pm Wednesday 11th January 2012 in Andover

Portsmouth RN 1 Lions 4.

Andover Lions kicked off the new year with another away win and climbed to fourth in the Hampshire 2004 table in the process.

It was a month since their last match and they looked very rusty at the outset and a more determined Portsmouth team looked the more likely in the opening encounters. Lions had a half chance on three minutes when a free-kick was met by a John Robb header but the keeper saved comfortably. On ten minutes Andover were lucky not to go behind as Portsmouth broke with pace down the left and crashed a shot against the post with Neve then making a superb reflex save as another shot came in from the rebound. Lions went behind, albeit in unfortunate circumstances ,when the ball appeared to go out but with the linesman flagging and players stopping, a 25-yard shot took a wicked deflection to send Neve the wrong way.

Reynolds was booked on 35 minutes as the frustrations became evident and Casson Spencer’s 39th minute header was the closest Andover came in the first half.

The second half was a completely different story as the Lions came out with far greater determination and were back on level terms within three minutes of the restart. Spencer took a corner on the left, Robb flicked it on and Da Silva headed in from the six yard box. Reynolds then went close with a spectacular volley from the edge of the box that flashed just wide with the keeper stranded and Da Silva had an opportunity to play in an unmarked Lee Cogan at the far post but failed to clear the keeper with his attempted cross. Lions continued to push forward at every opportunity and just past the hour Spencer was flattened by the advancing keeper for a clear penalty.

Cogan slotted home the spot-kick to give Andover the lead. Spencer and Reynolds continued to cause problems on the left and the pair combined on 72 minutes before Spencer shot just wide and again on 79 as Reynolds shot wide from an impossible angle. A minute later a corner from Mead was met by Matt Scott who headed to Reynolds who, in turn headed over.

The Lions were in total control and extended their lead five minutes from time when Cogan’s effort was blocked but the rebound found Mead who volleyed in after his initial effort had hit the cross bar. Two minutes later it was 4-1, as the ever dangerous Spencer had an effort saved by the keeper but from the resultant corner an unmarked Reynolds headed in.

Tomorrow Andover are away again, at Four Marks as they try to make it six wins out of six on their travels in the league. Kick-off 2pm.