Brockenhurst 2 Andover 6

ANDOVER, having lost both home and away to Brockenhurst in the JWL already this season, went to Grigg Lane last Saturday with a point to prove in their Hants Senior Cup second round tie.

Justin Bennett led the way with his second hat-trick of the season and Vince Rusher played his part by having a hand in four of the goals whilst the others came from Gavin Richards, Sam Rae and Danny Sullivan.

The rain which fell throughout the game did little to stem the Lions enthusiasm as they extended their unbeaten run to eight games, but after scoring twice in first five minutes at the start of the second half there was no doubt which side would be going into the draw for the next round.

In what was the town club's 800th cup tie team manager Howard Goddard started with the same 11 for the third successive game. The pitch, although greasy in places was in prime condition given the soaking it had received in the preceding 24 hours.

However, it took the Lions a while to adjust to the pace of the pitch and in the opening 10 minutes it was the Badgers who looked the more confident side.

The New Forest side squandered two good chances but only a well-judged tackle from Alan Kennedy prevented the predatory Karim Banssaouda scoring the all-important first goal.

That privilege almost fell to Rusher when the home 'keeper only partially saved the striker's first shot but the heavy conditions in the goalmouth prevented the ball from crossing the line.

Arguably, the game's turning point came after 20 minutes when for the third time Banssaouda got in behind the Lions' defence but his fierce drive thundered against an upright with Kieron Drake helpless in the Andover goal.

The escape sent out the appropriate message to the Lions and from then on the Brock' front line struggled for space and opportunity.

The Lions were far more menacing and they went ahead eight minutes before the break when Rusher was on hand to chip the ball back for Bennett to beat the home 'keeper's despairing dive with a well placed header for his 16th goal of the season.

Rusher then bounced an inswinging corner onto the crossbar and Neil Butler deserved better with an attempt that was deflected for a corner.

The Badgers levelled the scores in the last minute of the half when a corner on the Lions' left was delivered into the six-yard box and Matt White was the quickest to react in a crowded goalmouth.

At the break Brock' manager Peter Moore, who had been conducting a war of words with the Lions' supporters during the first half, turned his attention to the referee as they walked off the pitch. The official was not too impressed and showed Moore a yellow card.

Within three minutes of the restart, Rusher's cross to the far post found Richards in space and his firm header gave him his second goal of the week.

Two minutes later another of Rusher's astute passes sent Bennett scampering clear and the young striker's confidence showed as he clinically put the pass away for the Lions' third goal.

With the Lions now firmly in charge, the admirable Kennedy revelled in the conditions, Paul George got better as the game wore on and skipper Glen Damen remained as rock solid as ever at the back.

The Lions' fourth goal arrived with just over an hour played when Bennett was quick to intercept an attempted clearance on the edge of the area and duly scored with a minimum of effort to complete his hat-trick. Brock did pull back a second goal to make it 4-2 when Banssaouda's firmly struck shot took a deflection to leave Drake stranded but it proved to be just a blimp as Sullivan restored the Lions' two goal advantage within a minute of replacing Bennett with another memorable goal - controlling Richards' flick on and holding off two tackles before firing home a belter from fully 30 yards!

Brock' were well beaten and the Lions turned the screw in the first minute of added time when Rusher showed great vision to pick out Rae with a pass from inside his own half and Rae showed just how much he appreciated such service as he lasted his shot into the roof of the net to complete the scoring and take the Lions tally to the season to 60 goals in all competitions.

The band of Lions' faithful who braved the elements went home happy and their dream of another county cup final appearance at St Mary's looking just a little more realistic.

After the game the only question that remained to be asked was when was the last time a Lions side featuring Vince Rusher scored six and he did not figure on the score sheet?

Goddard was again delighted with his side's attitude and commitment. "Were firing on all cylinders, the lads are getting used to playing the 3-5-2 system that I prefer and you will not see two better goals all season than the last two. First half we didn't perform and a few harsh words were said at half time but second-half the score line speaks for itself."

Andover (3-5-2): Drake; George, Damen, Pratley; Kennedy, Richards, McNulty, Nurse; Butler, Rusher, Bennett. Subs: Rae (for Butler 46 mins), Sullivan, (for Bennett 74 mins), Knight (for McNulty 76 mins), Phil Nichols, Kearney (not used).