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Semi-Final Match Preview: Andover Town vs Baffins
Written by Ollie Cook
12 Mar 2023
Danny Thompson's side travel to Portway Stadium aiming to secure a place in the 2022/23 League Cup semi-final.
And his side will be full of confidence after Baffins returned to winning ways with a two-goal victory at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Club captain Jason Parish missed the trip to Dorset, whilst Rob Evans was also unavailable — but Baffins welcomed Tom Vincent back to the matchday squad for the Gameweek 29 clash.
Liam Brewer made his first league start since his step up from the Reserves, and he struck a second-half brace within ten minutes to ensure Baffins returned to winning ways after a midweek home defeat against Fareham Town.
Back in cup action, Rovers make the Tuesday trip to Wessex League Division One side Andover Town, aiming to book their place in the club's first League Cup final since the successful 2018/19 competition campaign.
The Bluebirds are Division One's middle club, sitting 10th in the league standings with a return of 41 points from their first 28 matches, winning 12 of them.
On their way to the semi-final, Ron Bertie's side have knocked out three Wessex Premier Division sides. Their first match was a 3-2 victory over Bournemouth, whilst they needed extra-time to secured a 3-0 victory over Hamble Club — who Baffins overtook in the league standings on Saturday.
Most recently, Andover secured a 3-2 victory over Shaftesbury in front of a crowd of 157 to book their semi-final place — Brendan Holmes' brace added to by David Jerrard, all scored past former Rovers shot-stopper Konrad Szymaniak.
In their last fixture, the Bluebirds fell to a 3-1 defeat at Ringwood Town on Saturday. The goal for the away side came from Josh Bertie — son of boss Ron — who returned to the club recently following a short stint at Bemerton Heath Harlequins.
You can watch Baffins take on Andover Town for a place in the Wessex League Cup final at Portway Stadium, SP10 3LF, on Tuesday 14 March (7:45pm kick-off).
Can't make the semi-final clash on Tuesday? There will be full matchday coverage across the club's social media channels.