Andover New Street 0-2 United Services Portsmouth

At a thundery Foxcotte Park, the rain stayed away long enough to see US coast reasonably easily to a 2-0 win.

The day started of the way US had wanted it to, with the first attack leading to the first goal. The hosts got the match underway and their first ball over the top was cleared for a throw in, their attack broke down and US cleared to Cal Coker who held up well before playing in Frankie Paige in an advanced position on the right. He composed himself a picked out Connor Duffin unmarked at the back post who nodded home despite the keeper getting a hand to it.

Despite the bright start, it took some players a long time to play themselves into the game on a humid day, particularly with a somewhat makeshift side, with 10 players unavailable. There were few chances in the first half as both sides defended well and struggled to make midfield possession into attacking threat. The game was mostly disjointed and the next real chance came on 36 minutes with a US break from the midfield, this time Sean Snelling bursting through and playing in Duffin on the right hand side of the box but his low shot was saved and the rebound came awkwardly in the air to Cal Coker who could only head back into the keepers arms.

The only New Street chance of the half came as a free kick from just outside the box forced a low save from Houkes, but he was otherwise untroubled before the break.

The second period started brightly again for US and Duffin almost got his 2nd of the game, arriving into the box late to collect a clever pull back, but his low shot was straight at the keeper. It was only a few minutes until he was pivotal in the second goal of the game though, his free kick from a wide area whipped in caused problems for the New Street defence and was probably going in before Sean Snelling made sure, glancing the cross in with over half hour to go.

The game calmed to a slower pace after a frenetic end to end period, but a lack of composure at both ends meant there was no real goal threat. Tom Grice, playing his first senior team game for around 4 years, had a great game at the back and forced a good save from the New Street keeper with a powerful free kick.

Going into the last few minutes, the hosts appealed for a penalty as a close range shot was blasted at Baz Snelling, on to replace his brother Sean for the last 20 minutes, but there was nothing he could do about it if it did strike an arm, although it did stop a certain goal.

Having held on through a 5-10 minute period of pressure and the only lengthy period of pressure in the game from the hosts, US ensured a clean sheet and a comfortable first league win of the season.

Attention now turns to Tuesday night's local derby as we host division one new boys Baffins Milton Rovers who have been in fine form recently. Kick of at the Victory Stadium Tuesday is 19:45.