ANDOVER New Street returned to Hamble Club a week after suffering a 7-4 defeat in the league and, in a much-improved performance they cruelly conceded an equaliser in second half stoppage time before losing out in the penalty shoot-out, writes John Gorman.

Street welcomed back Shaun Dallimore and Harry Lawton but were without Ross Cook and Shane Lock and got off to a much better start, though Ben Rodwell had to leave his area to deny Roach before Malachi Dotse lifted a Dallimore through ball over the advancing keeper but it was wide of the far post. 

The visitors continued to hold the upper hand and were rewarded on 13 minutes when Harry Lawton cleverly controlled a ball some 25 yards from goal and, as he turned, hooked the ball over his shoulder and high in to the net. (0-1)

A Hamble shot was blocked with penalty appeals waved away and the Street defence, with, captain for the day Luke Dempsey a very vocal leader, were more than holding their own.

Lawton then played a major part in the second goal, first sending Dotse clear to be denied by a very marginal offside decision, and then providing a through ball for Brad Waters, who was brought down as he burst into the area. 

Malachi Dotse slotted home the resultant penalty. (0-2)

In an explosive start to the second half, Dotse smashed a shot against the post in the opening minute, so close to putting his side three ahead.

Street were living dangerously at times and with ten minutes remaining the pressure paid off as skipper Brad Johnson rose highest at a corner to power a header into the roof of the net. (1-2)

As the game moved into stoppage time, it was heartbreak. A through ball down the inside left channel, a challenge just inside the area, not really disputed, and Roach levelled the scores from the spot.

Street held out through another inordinate amount of stoppage time but the penalty shootout was their undoing as Hamble converted their first four kicks while Street missed two of their first three.

Meanwhile Andover Town suffered a heavy defeat at home against East Cowes Victoria.

Ji Nash scored four goals and Jacob Reynolds scored a hattrick as East Cowes Victoria defeated Andover Town 1-8.

The Andover side is currently 19th in the table and in relegation zone with three points from their first 10 games.