Wessex League Division 1 football: New Milton Town see off Andover Town in relegation battle

Wessex League Division 1

New Milton Town 3

Andover Town 1

THAT’S three wins in the past five matches for Town, who are now giving fans some serious hope they can avoid relegation.

The Linnets are still third from bottom, sitting tight in the division’s final relegation spot, but they have four games in hand over Frimley Green above, who are seven points better off.

Taking three points off Andover Town was also vital, given the visitors are second-bottom and were just three points behind New Milton leading into this match.

Town started brightly in the sunshine, with in-form Barney Stone nearly opening the game’s account five minutes in, but his shot nicked off the post.

Andover had their chances from set-pieces but none seriously threatened the New Milton goal.

New Milton took a well deserved lead as the half ticked to a close, when Connor Ford swiped a defender’s hospital pass to the Andover keeper and rolled it into an empty net. Fortuitous perhaps, but hardly against the run of play.

A relatively even start to the second half saw Andover create a few chances, but Ford again proved his worth, grabbing the Linnets’ – and his – second in the 60th minute.

Ten minutes later and New Milton were home and dry as Brad Snelling added a third, resulting in huge cheers from the 190 in attendance.

Andover grabbed a consolation through Malachi Johnson three minutes before time, but Town were never in any danger of letting the result slip.

New Milton take on Fawley AFC at home on Saturday.