LAVERSTOCK & FORD 1, ALTON 4

AFTER a rare defeat on the own 3G pitch, Alton bounced back on Tuesday with a superb win at Laverstock & Ford who were lying third in the Sydenhams League Division One.

It was sweet revenge for a humiliating defeat earlier in the season.

The visitors started brightly and took an early lead when the returning Scott Sanderson scored from close range, following a Sean Hayes corner.

The dream start continued as Sanderson netted his second soon after, again scoring from close in after smart work down the left.

Taylor Watts and Sanderson both had chances to extend the lead, but it wasn’t all one-way traffic and Matt Petts made two excellent saves to deny Laverstock.

Alton finished the half on top again and Watts hit the post after a strong run.

The second half was open and entertaining as Laverstock committed men forward to get back into the game. An own goal gave them hope. Alton stopped for an offside flag that never came and Chris Adkins diverted a header past the stranded Petts.

To their credit, this did not deter Alton, who were on the back of three defeats, from playing positive football and they were rewarded with the crucial third goal. Callum Burch was brought down after a defence-splitting pass from the impressive Matt Clarke, who has recently returned to the club, and the penalty was confidently slotted home by Watts.

The home team then threw caution to the wind, but Alton kept a good shape and the back four of Phil Moore, Adkins and the Way brothers, Jon and Rob, were all up to the challenge.

With the game stretched, Alton’s extra pace brought them many more chances and Matt Jackson eventually got the fourth goal to round off an exceptional team performance by the Brewers.

Alton: Petts, R Way, Adkins, Moore, J Way, Hayes, Clarke, Burch, Watts, Sanderson, Jackson. Subs: Westwood, Taylor (both used).