ANDOVER TN 5, PETERSFIELD TN 3

PETERSFIELD, having already given Andover a good game this season, gave the runaway Sydenhams Premier League leaders as an even better one on Saturday.

The rock-bottom side have shown better form in recent matches, scoring five goals in their last two defeats, although giving eight back in return.

This time, they shook Andover rigid by taking a 2-0 lead inside 20 minutes and although the home side fought back with two goals of their own, Luke Kendall completed his hat-trick to give the Rams a 3-2 advantage at half-time.

However, the Lions were not 12 points clear at the top of the Premier Division for nothing and scored three times without reply in the second half.

The teams defied the miserable weather and produced a thrilling match to showcase non-league football, the goals resulting from well-rehearsed set plays, spectacular free-kicks, a penalty and some quickfire front-of-goal action.

The match only went ahead after a late pitch inspection and Petersfield, keen to register their first points of the year in front of a good crowd, looked capable of belying their lowly status.

Andover began strongly, yet the Rams scored from their first attacking move. McAulie Stubbs brought down Billy Connor just outside the penalty area and Kendall bent the free-kick round the wall and past keeper Luke Cairney into the back of the net.

Six minutes later, Petersfield were on the attack again and a lightning dash by Connor drew a rash tackle from Joe Wright.

The referee deemed it to be inside the area and after Andover’s protests had been waved away, Kendall hammed home the penalty.

Petersfield were in dreamland at this stage, but their lead was halved nine minutes later. Mike Hubbard took a free-kick close to the corner-flag and the Rams’ suspect defence allowed the ball to reach Luke Dempsey who scored with an unstoppable shot.

Andover continued to carve out chances and seemed to have turned the game around on 40 minutes when Mike Gosney’s cross picked out George Hallahan whose low header pulled it back to 2-2.

To the disbelief of the home supporters, Petersfield regained the lead almost immediately with a near carbon-copy of their first goal. Another foul on Connor won them a free-kick in the same area and Kendall stepped up to bend the ball past Cairney again. It was like a televised replay.

But Petersfield’s dreams were shattered as Andover pulled rank in the second half.

Seconds after the whistle, the impressive Gosney delivered the ball on a plate for Hallahan to shoot past Luke Eaton from near the penalty spot and the scores were level again.

Minutes later, Hallahan almost scored again. And within seconds of coming on, substitute Harrison Gilkes set up Ben Cook twice and Gosney once in front of goal, but for no reward.

In the 78th minute, Andover were awarded a free-kick some 40 yards out. Hardly within shooting distance, but Gosney launched the ball over the wall and in off the underside of the crossbar for a stunning goal.

Andover had already sent on top scorer Zach Glasspool and it was he who finished off a valiant Petersfield, thanks to an assist by Jason Silver.

The Rams had threatened to outscore the league leaders, but Andover march on. Petersfield will try again on Saturday when they visit AFC Portchester.

Petersfield: Eaton, Plackett, Kershaw, Tremlett, Kennedy, Geddes, Keogh (Fagelman), Thompson (Tayler), Connor, Kendall, W Essai (Hughes). Subs (not used): Collins, Evans