Bath 3 Andover 2

ANDOVER'S preparation for the new campaign continued on Tuesday against a side who will be playing in the southern premier league next season, writes Graham Cousins.

The Lions have assembled a large squad for the coming season and in this game the competition for places produced some excellent individual performances.

They looked very strong in midfield but after a slow start they matched their more experienced opponents in all areas of the field.

However, five minutes before the break they went behind when they failed to defend a free kick.

The Lions fought back well and in the last minute of the first half the impressive Mark Keogh set up Vince Rusher to score the equaliser.

Soon after the restart Danny Sullivan strode away to score a second for the Lions and at that stage they looked the better side.

During the second period the Lions management rang the changes to give all the squad a run out including Craig Lewis on trial with the Lions after spending last season on Bath City's books.

Despite the changes the quality of the Lions play did not diminish and Sullivan almost scored his second with a lob over the goalkeeper that went just too high.

Two fortuitous goals, one in the last minute gave Bath respectability but at the end Andover's Brian Le Boutillier must have been the happier of the two managers.

The Lions next friendly is at Abingdon Town on Tuesday. Kick off 7.30pm.