ANDOVER II 1, ALDERSHOT & FARNHAM 13

THE gap in quality between top and bottom in Hampshire 2 was clearly demonstrated as A&F put 13 goals past relegated Andover II.

In the warm sunshine of the John Hanson Stadium, A&F showed why their attacking style has taken them on an ten-game winning streak.

Jackson Brown opened the scoring within a minute and goals followed in rapid succession from Ian Metcalfe and Aaron Buchanan as Andover were forced to give up midfield possession by the visitors’ quick passing on a slow and sticky pitch.

A&F’s conversion rate at short corners is high this season, but the surface was posing problems. However, quick thinking by Metcalfe and Max Heaphy retained possession and slick passing turned two difficult chances into goals for Brown and Rob Jervis.

Finally, a slick injection and stop allowed Ian Jennings to flick high past the home keeper.

Aldershot maintained the pressure after the break, looking to beat their record score for the season. They achieved this with a back-post deflection from Brown, followed by a powerful strike from Metcalfe. Buchanan scored his second with a deft deflection from Ben Greene’s pass before celebrating the length of the pitch.

A packed Andover defence tried to limit the damage and although Brown and Metcalfe both took their goal tallies to four, several other chances were missed.

Andover scored a consolation goal, Brown added his fifth, and Ed Rushmere got himself sin-binned for an aggressive tackle.

This result gives A&F a goal difference of 96, the highest of all divisions in the South League.

The Hampshire 2 season reaches a fitting climax this Saturday when Bournemouth II and A&F, both unbeaten and promoted, go head-to-head at Chapel Gate (1.15pm) in a game that will decide the championship.

A&F: Wilkie, Strachan, E Rushmere, Greene, P Rushmere, Jennings, Heaphy, Buchanan, Metcalfe, Jervis, Rooke, Brown.