ALTON 2, CHICHESTER III 7

ALTON, after a bright start, were overrun by second-placed Chichester III at Amery Hill.

After brushing aside Hampshire 2 leaders Basingstoke the week before, in-form Alton were hoping for a repeat performance and certainly began well, scoring in less than 30 seconds. An immediate attack ended with Tom Singleton burying the opener to give his side a dream start.

Chichester were taken by surprise, but were not riding high by being timid and were soon camped in the Alton half, equalising with a rocket drag-flick from a short corner.

Much to Alton’s frustration, a carbon-copy strike gave the visitors the lead, the ball deflecting in off the crossbar to give skipper Nigel Downing no chance on the post.

Chichester could soon have made it three from a penalty flick after an on-target shot was stopped by Downing’s foot, but Lawrence Jones saved comfortably.

The last ten minutes of the half saw ups-and-downs for Alton. Good counter-attacking play ended with young striker Sam Juncker sliding in the equaliser, only for Chichester to regain the lead with a breakaway goal.

Alton tried to take the game to their opponents in the second half, but Chichester now had momentum and were soon increasing their lead – two goals from penalty corners and a breakaway strike put them firmly in control.

Alton showed real grit as they continued to mount counter-attacks. Chances fell to Singleton, Juncker and Alec Hudson, but the finishing touch was lacking.

As Alton thrust forward, they left gaps at the back and Chichester broke away to add a seventh.

Alton are away to Southampton University II this Saturday.