Test Park hosted New Street on Tuesday 11th August where they lost 1-0 to Millbrook
Andover have now moved two places down the League Table into third on goal difference because of wins from other Step 5 teams; Downton and Hamworthy Recreation.
The game kicked off at 7:45 and New Street began the game with a slow start whilst Millbrook took the opportunity to challenge the defence of the away side.
The home team were quick to put Street on the back foot and win a series of set pieces with most ending in a trial for goalkeeper Luke Cairney as he stopped the first goal in the early minutes of the game.
New Street began to retaliate in the 18th minute when Zach Hine found himself taking their first shot of the game for the travelled team.
From then, set pieces began to go in favour of Street but no end result from the attacks and pressure that followed.
Millbrook responded to a moment of weakness with another shot saved by Cairney who continues to tell the players to defend the attacking crosses.
Harry Beckley tries his won hand at crossing the ball but none of them seemed to have the power or accuracy to make a difference to the game.
At the end of the half both teams show sings of wanting to change the score just at half time.
Two minutes of extra time were played because of an injured Millbrook player and that ended the half.
The second half begun with the same style as the first but in a lucky moment Millbrook found themselves the better side.
Archie Greenough found himself on the end of a few stringy passes along the box and in line with a good shot that wasn’t seen by Cairney to save as the ball went in the net.
Celebrations from the home team ended with a shower from the sprinklers as they decided that a hydration break was needed for New Street to collect themselves and reset.
Forward attempts followed from Street as they tried to counter but started to fall short in the middle, time for substitutions.
Manager Jamie Coleman over the remainder of the half used all subs in hopes to boost his teams attack and be able give the team fresh legs before the play again on Saturday.
The middle was first to adjust as Jake Rawkins was replaced by George Higgins, followed by Ollie Erdinc coming off for attacking player Ronan Clancy.
The changes were almost worth it as play began to turn to the away side’s luck as they possessed more of the ball, but the outcome was rather unchanged.
Clancy had the opportunity to take the title of super sub as a scuffle in the box put the ball in a great position for him, but the shot was sent over the crossbar with some force.
A turn of events left defender Ethan Gee in agony after injuring his ankle forcing the last substitution of the game.
Gee was carried off by his teammates who ran off the bench in his aid with what looked like a serious injury.
A closer chance for the green’s was cleared off the line cementing the defeat.
With plenty of determination coming off of the bench, the score remained the same as the final whistle blew.
Midfielder Zach Hine said: “Something didn’t go right today but we have a game on Saturday to tun it round.
“We were always going to get our first defeat, it wasn’t a great performance overall.
“They pressed us well and put us under pressure.”
Andover New Street will next play back at the DH Property Services Stadium in the FA Vase against Bemerton Heath Harlequins on Saturday 15th August.
Looking on to that game Hine commented: “Obviously we all love Cup competitions, we did really well in the FA Cup so we will do it in the FA Vase again.
“We will all stick together, take defeats together, win together and push on for Saturday.”