Rovers claim their first win of 2010 in the 1000th game for Rob 'Trigger' Cousins.

Match report from Andy Harris

Rovers duly recorded their first win of 2010 and but for some remarkable goalkeeping by Andover’s David Hook, some misfortune and frankly some poor finishing the scoreline could have been much more emphatic. In fact the depleted visitors managed only a single shot on target in each half and had not one single corner in the whole 90 minutes! However the game will best be remembered as Rob Cousins’ 1,000th appearance in senior football, marked by a guard of honour before kick off and a presentation in the bar after.

Rovers were positive from the kick off, Joe White heading a free kick from Cousins straight at Hook on 6 minutes and Matt Cooper shooting wide 5 minutes later. The visitors clearly came to defend with only one player up front but their first effort came on 11 minutes as Rovers lost possession in midfield and Danny Urry shot just wide from 30 yards out.

Ben Lacey gave the Andover defence problems all night with his pace down the right flank and on 16 minutes he set up Cooper but his shot was cleared off the line by a sliding defender and the two minutes later Lacey sent in a shot which Hook did well to save. Josh Jeffries then volleyed straight at Hook and an overhead kick from Rob Claridge went just wide.

Andover had a penalty appeal turned down on 37 minutes when on a rare excursion into the Rovers’ box, Urrey went down under a challenge from Alex Ball but the referee, Mr Derrien, who had an excellent game, was well placed and waived play on.  Rovers continued to press but their first half was summed up just before the interval when an over hit cross from the right was collected by White whose fierce shot came back off the bar.

Having been “caught cold” after the restart on Saturday, manager, Andy Jones, had his players out early and warming up before the second half began and this paid dividends as they finally made the break though a minute after the resumption.

Claridge played a great ball inside the full back and Lacey’s cross from the right found Jeffries at the back post and although his volley was hacked clear, the well positioned assistant, flagged to indicate it had crossed the line and the lack of protest from the visitors suggested he got it spot on.

Rovers were now rampant and Lacey set up Cooper for a near post header which was scrambled away and on 65 minutes Cousins was denied when Hook made a fine stop from this 25 yard volley. On 72 minutes Jeffries’ left wing corner was only partially cleared and skipper, Dan Cleverley fired in a fierce shot that Hook somehow managed to touch onto a post and away to safety.

Andover’s reprieve was shot lived as the home side doubled their advantage on 76 minutes. Cousins’ free kick from the right was touched on to Ollie Price at the back post, who showed great composure in volleying the ball home.

The visitors did respond, Tom Melledew shooting just over from distance and home keeper Kyle Phillips finally forced to make a save from Carl Foster but it was Rovers who should have been on the scoresheet twice in the final few minutes. Firstly a fantastic run from Lacey took him past four defenders but in the end his pass to White saw the striker offside and then substitute Dave Burborough sent a header beyond the visitor’s defence but White with only Hook to beat put his shot wide.

For an alternative view log onto:- http://www.andover-fc.co.uk/docs/NewFrontPageSingle.php?page=Lions%20Battle%20To%20No%20Avail

Team: Phillips, Ball, Lane, White, Price, Cousins (Collier 90 mins), Jeffries, Cooper (Burborough 81 mins), Claridge (Rich 79 mins), Cleverley (C), Lacey
Subs not used: Milsom, Redwood

Referee: Mark Derrien
Assts: Darren Howard Tomes / Paul Byfield

Attendance: 191

Star Man: Rob Cousins (Rovers)