10 Men Claim Huge Three Points - Tadley Calleva vs. Andover New Street

Miserable day in Hampshire

There was only game that really stuck out this weekend - Tadley Calleva against Andover New Street in Division One of The Wessex League - although the weather did it's best to ruin things - AFC Aldermaston just down the road was a late call off. This match pitted the top two against each other. Both sides were on forty five points and as Tadley had played two games less with a much better goal difference, New Street really had to win. When I saw New Street host Andover numerous seasons ago, they were second bottom of the league so they seem to be enjoying happier times. In their last three games, Tadley had scored an impressive sixteen goals and so New Street were going to have be on their best form to get the points.

Wind and rain at kick off

On the back of their recent goal scoring exploits, Tadley are full of confidence from the start and a looping header from a long throw goes just over the bar. The New Street keeper then spills a free kick which he is relived to also see go over. He is not so lucky shortly afterwards as when he spills a free kick for a second time, the Tadley forward is there to tap home the rebound. There is controversy surrounding the free kick as the foul was committed right on the line of the area and the Tadley players were adamant it was inside the box. New Street now begin to have a bit more of the ball. The Tadley defense has to be alert to block a shot from a corner. Then in almost a perfect repeat of the incident in the build up to the Tadley goal, a New Street player is fouled right on the line and this time after discussing with his linesman the referee awards a spot kick. The penalty is buried and the teams go in level at half time. 

One nil Tadley

The second half has more of a tentative start, the only threat to either goal is a bouncing ball into the Tadley box that the keeper deals with. The New Street player then appears to say a bit too much after a corner is awarded to Tadley and he is given a second yellow and his team are down to ten men. Tadley have a chance to regain the lead shortly afterwards with the attacker bearing down on goal, it takes a great last ditch tackle to prevent the effort on goal. The ten men then take the lead. It comes from another set piece as the free kick eludes everyone and finds the bottom corner. The game is now really open and the New Street defender does well to clear a header from a corner off the line. After a mad scramble, New Street think they've sealed the points but the goal is disallowed. New Street hang to claim a massive three points in a fantastic match.

Tadley look for goals in the second half

The nearest station to Tadley is Basingstoke which is reached by trains from Waterloo with the quicker trains taking forty five minutes. Then from just outside the station you can catch the number two bus to Tadley that takes twenty minutes. Pub wise, the closest to the ground is The Fox and Hounds which had a good selection of beers and the sports channels. The clubhouse had the usual selection of drinks and also had the sports channels. The only one section of cover so wasn't the best for a soggy day but the welcome and the match made it all worthwhile.

Dugout / windswpet side