ANDOVER NS 2, ALTON FC 1

NOT the start that Alton were hoping for in the Sydenham League Division One, but there were extenuating circumstances. The grassy pitch at Foxcotte Park did not suit the Brewers’ passing game and hail storms hardly helped either.

Andover New Street made the better start as Alton struggle to retain possession and the home side took the lead after 12 minutes. A cross into the penalty area found Callum Sweeney unmarked and he had time to take the ball down before giving Matt Petts no chance.

A succession of Alton corners came to nothing and then Andover doubled their lead with just 19 minutes gone. Spencer Casson somehow managed to pass through two defenders and picked out an unmarked Ollie Yates who, from fully 30 yards, shot into the top corner.

Alton finally got going when manager Mark Corbett got Danny Knee and Taylor Watts to switch flanks. Watts cut inside to have a shot blocked and with Knee giving his defender a torrid time, it was no surprise when Alton pulled one back. Picking up a Watts pass, Knee beat his marker and his shot found the back of the net. Alton enjoyed their best spell either side of half-time. Knee had another shot charged down and a Matt Graham cross was just too high for Watts.Corbett sent on Scott Sanderson and Jody Thorpe, and although the Brewers continued to look lively, Andover nearly stretched their lead from a corner, an alert Petts tipping Jamie Pollard’s shot over the top.The referee chose to only play an advantage when Watts was unceremoniously brought down when in full flow. Yates, though, should have killed the game off when he went round Petts, only to hit the angle of bar and post when it looked easier to score. Andover were reduced to ten men when Pollard received a second yellow, but Alton had little time to take advantage. Ringwood visit The Enclosure 3G pitch this Saturday and Corbett will be expecting a strong response from his side. Alton: Petts, Colbourne, Graham, Hayes, Williams, Taylor, Knee, Clarke, Burch, Hitch, Watts. Subs (all used): Sanderson, Thorpe, Cass.