ALDERSHOT & FARNHAM 9 ANDOVER II 0

ALDERSHOT & Farnham were looking to bounce back from a disappointing last-gasp draw at Southampton University last week and bottom side Andover II felt the backlash at Heath End.

A&F scored nine goals, five of them short-corner strikes by Ian Jennings, the team coach and a former England international.

The home side came out all guns blazing and soon George Rooke won a short corner which Jennings smartly converted for the first goal.

Ian Metcalfe constantly harassed the Andover back line and the visitors’ task was not made easier by the arrival of the tenacious Aaron Buchanan midway through the first half.

Buchanan pressured Andover into giving away another short corner and again Jennings slotted home.

Andover, looking to hit their opponents on the break, were still in contention, but fitness was becoming a factor and the game opened up to A&F’s advantage.

With Max Halfey making some trademark winding runs, Aldershot forced two short corners in quick succession. Jennings converted the first and the second was turned over the line by the onrushing Buchanan.

The second half followed the same pattern, with A&F having the lion’s share of the ball. Chances came thick and fast, and Jackson Brown, after some wild reverse shooting, eventually found the back of the net with a shot across the keeper.

As Andover tired, the floodgates opened. Captain Phil Rushmere scored his first goal for the club and Jennings shot high into the goal from yet another short corner.

The powerful Rooke beat two markers and burst into the box before shooting low and hard against the backboard. Finally, Jennings capped a fine display by Farnham with his fifth set-piece goal.

A&F go into the Christmas break trailing Hampshire 2 leaders Bournemouth by four points. Basingstoke are five points further back in third place, but have a game in hand.