PEWSEY Vale boss Nick Maggs thought that his side earned the right to take all three points against Andover New Street last weekend.

Vale were given a tough test at Ball Road by a dogged Andover outfit but managed to match their opponents for work-rate and eventually claimed a 2-0 triumph.

Top-scorer Tom Ritchie netted a fortunate opener as he charged down the New Street keeper and despite losing his footing, saw the goalie’s attempted clearance crash into him and loop into the unguarded net.

Ritchie then grabbed his second of the game after the break, firing home after getting on the end of Ricky Franklin’s delivery.

“We knew that Andover would be a side that would work really hard and that’s exactly how they played but we managed to match them for work-rate and that was the important thing,” said Maggs.

“We’ve played a few more games than a few other sides but we’re only nine points off the top - that’s only three victories.

“We can cut the gap on New Milton if we can get a result against them this weekend, so it’s a big game for us.”

Haydn Amor and Danny Kilderry are still out injured.

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