Andover 2, Colden Common 0

CFL sponsored Andover started the defence of the North Hants Senior Cup - one of three trophies they won last season - with victory in a one-sided first round tie at The Portway on Tuesday.

It was a big night out for Colden Common and the Hants Division One leaders seemed to enjoy it immensely as they put up a brave defensive display to gain a respectable score line but for the Lions it was little more than a training stint, although the town club deserve praise for supporting the local association's premier knockout competition.

They clinched victory with a goal in each half with Alan Kennedy firing them ahead after just five minutes with an unstoppable drive after a neat inter-change with Andy Forbes on the edge of the area but they had to wait until the last 20 minutes before Dave Asker headed home the second off the visiting 'keeper from Shaun Dyke's cross deep in the left-hand corner.

Andover took ace striker Forbes off at half time at the pitch started to freeze up on a bitterly cold night and such was their dominance that with the game won Dyke also went off to leave a depleted Lions squad to play out the last five minutes with only 10 men.

'Keeper Keiron Drake could have also joined his team-mates on the side lines as he did not have one shot to save during the entire 90 minutes and was little more than a spectator.

They now go through to meet another of the local village sides in King's Somborne in the quarter-finals. Overton United are already through to the semi-finals having beaten NHL table-table toppers Ludgershall Sports 3-1 in extra time at home last Saturday and in the other quarter-final ties Whitchurch will play Headley and Winchester City Res face Alresford.

Andover (4-4-2): Drake; Freeman, Barker, Damen, Bicknell; Kennedy, Asker, Walsh, Dyke; Mattingley, Forbes. Sub: Crossley (for Forbes 46 mins).