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April 2015
We're still hanging tough, keeping close enough to Totton & Eling that they can't comfortably plan their championship celebration just yet.
4 April: Moneyfields 0-2 Andover
The Moneys have struggled this season, with a roster that's primarily stocked with amateur players. They showed some moxie against us, but in the end, our class won out. Michael Gill opened his Andover account, and Adam Hamilton connected for the second straight game. Jamie Overson stopped all seven shots that reached him.
Meanwhile, Totton & Eling lost at home to Whitchurch United, so we closed the gap between our clubs to a single point.
11 April: Andover 1-1 Horndean
Horndean captain Jack Docker put his club on top in the early minutes. On the stroke of halftime, Mark Wetherald volleyed Bryn Haynes' corner past the Horndean 'keeper, who barely had time to move before the ball was in his net. The remainder of the match was chippy and ill-tempered, with the clubs combining for six yellow cards. They're a decent side, and they were clearly up for the match.
18 April: Petersfield 1-0 Andover
A good crowd showed up at Love Lane to watch two of the league's better clubs do battle. Classy midfielder Liam Dawson scored the only goal of the match, a worthy candidate for Goal of the Year. Sometimes you play well, and you still don't get the result. This was one of those matches, a delight for anyone who enjoys a spirited game of football.
Unfortunately, we might have lost Mark Wetherald for the remainder of the season. Pulled hamstrings often take a while to heal. Jacob Matthews will have a chance to demonstrate what he can do, and Jack Walker will probably have an opportunity to start, too.
25 April: Andover 0-0 Newport
This was another challenging matchup, as the Port have established themselves at the top of the table. They have the league's most potent attack; four of their men have bagged at least ten goals. Kudos to our defense and to Ross Boden in goal for limiting them to one shot on target and stopping that single good chance.
We came very close once, when Alam Morton's drive fizzed just wide of Nat Davidson's unprotected right post. I would have loved to take three points here, but I'll settle for one.
On 2 May, we'll travel to Millers Park for a six-point promotion battle with Totton & Eling. It's probably safe to say that our chances of promotion rest on the outcome of this match. If we lose, we'll fall seven points behind with three matches to play. If we win, we're only three points back, and the battle will be well and truly joined.
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