It's been a fair while since I have visited either of the Andover teams, so when they were drawn together in the North Hants Cup, it seemed like a good opportunity. My Twitter poll agreed, with a little prompting from New Street's media guru. Speaking of whom, many thanks to Kelly for her hospitality at half-time. Great to meet up and have a chat over a nice cuppa. Keep up the great work on social media too. It's always heartening to see a club engaging through the media. It helps to promote the club in the community, something that was very apparent from the bumper attendance of 523 this evening.
The last time I visited Foxcotte Park, in 2016 (Three Goals, Three Points), the balance of power sat in the blue half of town. New Street were on their way to finishing perilously close to the bottom of the Wessex Division One whilst Town finished safely in mid-table of the Premier League and were to go on to finish second the following season. However, that second place finish combined with not accepting promotion led to Town being relegated back to Division One, whilst New Street, who had finished runners-up in Division One went in the opposite direction. Although New Street came straight back down, they were promoted as champions at the end of 2022-23 and are now established in the top flight. Town, however, have slipped even further. A bottom place finish last season has seen them drop into the Hampshire Premier League this season, their first in step 7 since foundation in 2013. Saying that, they currently sit in third place, level on points with leaders Locks Heath, with a game in hand and are unbeaten in the league since late August. New Street sit fourth in the Wessex Premier, eight points off leaders Portchester but with two games in hand. They've suffered defeat just once in the league, a 2-1 home reversal to Hamworthy Recreation earlier this month. They are the only team to have beaten the leaders, winning 4-2 at the On-Site Group Stadium just 3 days after that Hamworthy slip-up.
The last Andover derby in the Wessex league came in April last year. New Street triumphing 5-4, thanks largely to four goals from Ross Cook, in front of 332 spectators.
The last time I visited Foxcotte Park, in 2016 (Three Goals, Three Points), the balance of power sat in the blue half of town. New Street were on their way to finishing perilously close to the bottom of the Wessex Division One whilst Town finished safely in mid-table of the Premier League and were to go on to finish second the following season. However, that second place finish combined with not accepting promotion led to Town being relegated back to Division One, whilst New Street, who had finished runners-up in Division One went in the opposite direction. Although New Street came straight back down, they were promoted as champions at the end of 2022-23 and are now established in the top flight. Town, however, have slipped even further. A bottom place finish last season has seen them drop into the Hampshire Premier League this season, their first in step 7 since foundation in 2013. Saying that, they currently sit in third place, level on points with leaders Locks Heath, with a game in hand and are unbeaten in the league since late August. New Street sit fourth in the Wessex Premier, eight points off leaders Portchester but with two games in hand. They've suffered defeat just once in the league, a 2-1 home reversal to Hamworthy Recreation earlier this month. They are the only team to have beaten the leaders, winning 4-2 at the On-Site Group Stadium just 3 days after that Hamworthy slip-up.
The last Andover derby in the Wessex league came in April last year. New Street triumphing 5-4, thanks largely to four goals from Ross Cook, in front of 332 spectators.
Town defending The game kicked off with the visitor's kicking up the Foxcotte slope. It was a frenetic opening six minutes or so, both sides playing at a very high pace but making little impression. There was a n early scare for Town when Cam Thatcher went down in the penalty area amidst shouts for a penalty. However the referee had a good view and waved it away. The game continued to be played at 100 mph, a typical derby game, with no quarter given by either side.
That was until the 8th minute, when New Street took the lead. It was made down the right flank, Claudio Herbert driving down the wing before delivering a low, hard cross to the back post, where captain Shane Lock was on hand to rattle the ball home. 1-0. The goal served to calm the home side down, and from that moment onward they began to take control of the game. A few minutes later it could, and probably should, have been two when Layton Tulk's low cross found Cam Thatcher inside the box, but the midfielder failed to make a clean contact and the chance was gone.
Matt Scott, up for a corner, then smashed a shot against Chris Redshaw's right-hand upright before, the visiting defence almost gifted a goal to Lewis Williams, misdirecting a pass straight to him some 25 yards out. This time the striker's effort was just too high, but as Town were to soon discover, it was just a case of the striker finding his range. And, with 20 minutes on the clock, he found it. Callum Sweeney delivered the perfect through-ball for Williams to run onto before sitting Redshaw down and stroking the ball into an empty net. 2-0
That goal emphasised the dangers of playing a high defensive line against a striker with the pace and first touch of Williams. However, Town did not learn from it.
They survived the next breach of their back-line by the width of a post after Tulk played a one-two that left him with a sight of goal. His low strike had the beating of Redshaw but thumped against the same post that Scott had struck a little earlier. The relief was quite short-lived. On 35 minutes New Street produced an absolute peach of a goal that demonstrated the difference between the sides on the night. Lock picked the ball up on the right, inside his own half, delivered the perfect pass up the line for Herbert who, spotting the run of Williams, sent a first-time pass, weighted to perfection in behind the defence. Williams was always getting there first, lifting the ball over Redshaw and into the net. 3-0. A goal so well made that I had to applaud it before I posted to Twitter.
Redshaw then had to make a great save to prevent Williams notching a hat-trick just a minute later, but they couldn't keep their former strike quiet for too long. With seven minutes left on the clock before the break, another through ball from Thatcher exposed the Town high-line again. Williams was away and no-one was catching him. Redshaw did his best, getting fingers to the strike, but he couldn't keep the ball out. 4-0
Two minutes after that, as I was making my way around the pitch in readiness for half-time, Williams struck again. In the right place to stab home after the ball came back off the woodwork. 5-0. A devastating five minute burst from Williams, and the hosts in general, putting the game well beyond their visitors before half-time.
HT Andover New Street 5 Andover Town 0. A frenetic opening 6 minutes but, once New Street settled down, it was one-way traffic. Chris Redshaw, in the Town goal, found himself exposed time and again as New Street cut through the visitor's high-defensive line with ease. The second half was going to be a case of trying to restore some local pride.
That was until the 8th minute, when New Street took the lead. It was made down the right flank, Claudio Herbert driving down the wing before delivering a low, hard cross to the back post, where captain Shane Lock was on hand to rattle the ball home. 1-0. The goal served to calm the home side down, and from that moment onward they began to take control of the game. A few minutes later it could, and probably should, have been two when Layton Tulk's low cross found Cam Thatcher inside the box, but the midfielder failed to make a clean contact and the chance was gone.
Matt Scott, up for a corner, then smashed a shot against Chris Redshaw's right-hand upright before, the visiting defence almost gifted a goal to Lewis Williams, misdirecting a pass straight to him some 25 yards out. This time the striker's effort was just too high, but as Town were to soon discover, it was just a case of the striker finding his range. And, with 20 minutes on the clock, he found it. Callum Sweeney delivered the perfect through-ball for Williams to run onto before sitting Redshaw down and stroking the ball into an empty net. 2-0
That goal emphasised the dangers of playing a high defensive line against a striker with the pace and first touch of Williams. However, Town did not learn from it.
They survived the next breach of their back-line by the width of a post after Tulk played a one-two that left him with a sight of goal. His low strike had the beating of Redshaw but thumped against the same post that Scott had struck a little earlier. The relief was quite short-lived. On 35 minutes New Street produced an absolute peach of a goal that demonstrated the difference between the sides on the night. Lock picked the ball up on the right, inside his own half, delivered the perfect pass up the line for Herbert who, spotting the run of Williams, sent a first-time pass, weighted to perfection in behind the defence. Williams was always getting there first, lifting the ball over Redshaw and into the net. 3-0. A goal so well made that I had to applaud it before I posted to Twitter.
Redshaw then had to make a great save to prevent Williams notching a hat-trick just a minute later, but they couldn't keep their former strike quiet for too long. With seven minutes left on the clock before the break, another through ball from Thatcher exposed the Town high-line again. Williams was away and no-one was catching him. Redshaw did his best, getting fingers to the strike, but he couldn't keep the ball out. 4-0
Two minutes after that, as I was making my way around the pitch in readiness for half-time, Williams struck again. In the right place to stab home after the ball came back off the woodwork. 5-0. A devastating five minute burst from Williams, and the hosts in general, putting the game well beyond their visitors before half-time.
HT Andover New Street 5 Andover Town 0. A frenetic opening 6 minutes but, once New Street settled down, it was one-way traffic. Chris Redshaw, in the Town goal, found himself exposed time and again as New Street cut through the visitor's high-defensive line with ease. The second half was going to be a case of trying to restore some local pride.
New Street corner As expected, the second half was a lot quitter than the first. New Street knew the game was won, Town knew the game was lost. Early on New Street substitute Ryan Griffiths managed to shrug off a challenge and take the ball past Redshaw. However, the goalkeeper's movement off the line had driven the striker wide and he could only hit the side-netting with his shot.
Seven minutes into the second-half, New Street keeper Matt Fredericks showed that he had kept his concentration despite being a spectator for much of the game. Town top-scorer Ryan Morgans latched onto a pass that put him in on goal. However, Fredericks as out very quickly to make a half block, the ball ran loose, but was cleared, amidst some muted shouts for a penalty. Again, nothing given by the referee.
Then, just past the hour, the visitors found themselves down to ten. Following a challenge out on the Town left, just outside the box, there was a bit of a flare-up which led to a few players getting involved. It was hard to see exactly what happened, although there was some pushing and shoving and possibly even some raised hands. The upshot was that Town captain Dean Smith was heading for an early bath, He'd already been booked, so it may have been a second yellow or possibly a straight red. Either way, he didn't seem to have much complaint as he handed over the captain's armband and trudged off.
Two minutes after the sending off, as if to rub salt into the wounds, New Street added a sixth and, again, it was Lewis Williams. Driving into the box on the left, he cut back sharply leaving his marker in a heap, before curling the ball low into the far corner. 6-0 and five on the night for Williams.
Shortly afterwards, New Street took Williams off to applause form around the ground. His work was most definitely done for the night.
The changes, for both sides, interrupted the flow of the game somewhat. but it really was game over at that point. Chris Redshaw, who despite conceding six had played very well in the Town goal, still had time to make a few more top class saves, two to deny Jake Rawkins and another from Layton Tulk, and then it was all over.
FT Andover New Street 6 Andover Town 0. Aside form the opening few minutes, New Street dominated the game from start to finish. The three goal haul, inside five first-half minutes, effectively finished the game off. Town had no answer to the pace and finishing power of Lewis Williams. New Street will join Whitchurch United, Romsey Town and either Hook or Basingstoke Town in the semi-finals.
Both teams are back in action on Saturday, and both are on the road. Andover Town make the journey to Fleet Spurs, who now ply their trade in Thames Valley Division One, in the Hampshire Saturday Trophy. New Street travel to seventh placed AFC Stoneham on Saturday. The Purps are five points behind their visitors but do have a game in hand on them.
Andover New Street: 13.Fredericks, Newbold,Quashie, Carswell, Scott, Thatcher, Lock(c), Sweeney, Williams, Herbert, Tulk. Subs: Aldridge, Williams, Rawkins, 21.Griffiths, 1.Plunkett, Mumford
Andover Town: Redshaw, Budd, Budden, Grinham, Irvine, Smith(c), Cook, O'Connor, Morgans, House, Johnson, Mills. Subs: Jones, Ramesh, Burrows, Coutanche
Seven minutes into the second-half, New Street keeper Matt Fredericks showed that he had kept his concentration despite being a spectator for much of the game. Town top-scorer Ryan Morgans latched onto a pass that put him in on goal. However, Fredericks as out very quickly to make a half block, the ball ran loose, but was cleared, amidst some muted shouts for a penalty. Again, nothing given by the referee.
Then, just past the hour, the visitors found themselves down to ten. Following a challenge out on the Town left, just outside the box, there was a bit of a flare-up which led to a few players getting involved. It was hard to see exactly what happened, although there was some pushing and shoving and possibly even some raised hands. The upshot was that Town captain Dean Smith was heading for an early bath, He'd already been booked, so it may have been a second yellow or possibly a straight red. Either way, he didn't seem to have much complaint as he handed over the captain's armband and trudged off.
Two minutes after the sending off, as if to rub salt into the wounds, New Street added a sixth and, again, it was Lewis Williams. Driving into the box on the left, he cut back sharply leaving his marker in a heap, before curling the ball low into the far corner. 6-0 and five on the night for Williams.
Shortly afterwards, New Street took Williams off to applause form around the ground. His work was most definitely done for the night.
The changes, for both sides, interrupted the flow of the game somewhat. but it really was game over at that point. Chris Redshaw, who despite conceding six had played very well in the Town goal, still had time to make a few more top class saves, two to deny Jake Rawkins and another from Layton Tulk, and then it was all over.
FT Andover New Street 6 Andover Town 0. Aside form the opening few minutes, New Street dominated the game from start to finish. The three goal haul, inside five first-half minutes, effectively finished the game off. Town had no answer to the pace and finishing power of Lewis Williams. New Street will join Whitchurch United, Romsey Town and either Hook or Basingstoke Town in the semi-finals.
Both teams are back in action on Saturday, and both are on the road. Andover Town make the journey to Fleet Spurs, who now ply their trade in Thames Valley Division One, in the Hampshire Saturday Trophy. New Street travel to seventh placed AFC Stoneham on Saturday. The Purps are five points behind their visitors but do have a game in hand on them.
Andover New Street: 13.Fredericks, Newbold,Quashie, Carswell, Scott, Thatcher, Lock(c), Sweeney, Williams, Herbert, Tulk. Subs: Aldridge, Williams, Rawkins, 21.Griffiths, 1.Plunkett, Mumford
Andover Town: Redshaw, Budd, Budden, Grinham, Irvine, Smith(c), Cook, O'Connor, Morgans, House, Johnson, Mills. Subs: Jones, Ramesh, Burrows, Coutanche
 The old Buildbase Stand |  The new main stand |
The Ground
The biggest noticeable change since my last visit in 2016 is the main stand. Sadly, the wonderful old Buildbase stand is gone, replaced by a new metal structure. The old stand was wooden and most likely a health and safety nightmare. There's nothing at all wrong with the new stand, but it's still a little sad to see that small piece of quirkiness disappear. The ground has a large car park, shared with the adjacent rugby club and archery club. There's a fair bit of spectator cover around the ground. The main stand, mentioned above, a wooden standing area between the Mays Down lane end goal and corner flag, and a covered patio area outside the clubhouse. The pitch does slope quite a bit from the Mays Down Lane end down to the crematorium end. Last time I was here I commented that the ground was maintained to a high standard. I'm very pleased to say that is still the case. It's a great example of a non-league ground. Well worth a visit.
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 523
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: Online
The biggest noticeable change since my last visit in 2016 is the main stand. Sadly, the wonderful old Buildbase stand is gone, replaced by a new metal structure. The old stand was wooden and most likely a health and safety nightmare. There's nothing at all wrong with the new stand, but it's still a little sad to see that small piece of quirkiness disappear. The ground has a large car park, shared with the adjacent rugby club and archery club. There's a fair bit of spectator cover around the ground. The main stand, mentioned above, a wooden standing area between the Mays Down lane end goal and corner flag, and a covered patio area outside the clubhouse. The pitch does slope quite a bit from the Mays Down Lane end down to the crematorium end. Last time I was here I commented that the ground was maintained to a high standard. I'm very pleased to say that is still the case. It's a great example of a non-league ground. Well worth a visit.
Ground Number: Re-visit
Att: 523
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: Online
A big crowd watches another New Street attack
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