ALTON LADIES 1,

ISLE OF WIGHT 0

THERE was little time for Alton Ladies to run off the mince pies – they were straight back into Hampshire Division 2 action on Saturday, entertaining Isle of Wight on the newly-cleaned pitch at Amery Hill.

Alton were expecting a tough match, having only narrowly beaten the Islanders (1-0) earlier in the season.

The home team looked more energised, though, warming up vigorously while the visitors languished in the changing-room.

Alton promptly pushed the visitors back into their own half, but the four-week break had taken the edge off their attacking game and nobody could find the back of the net.

This gave the Islanders time to organise themselves and the game evened up as they pressed down the wings and into the Alton circle, winning a string of short corners which were well defended by an experienced back line.

Then Alton countered with a nicely-worked move out of the circle. Louise Yeadon drove up the right wing and her rocket delivery into the D found Gayle Moir perfectly placed to deflect the ball into the roof of the net. Certainly Alton’s best goal of 2018!

Alton came out for the second half in determined mood. Again, they looked much the more dangerous side, but just could not score.

Both teams showed good individual skill and team-work, but one goal was enough to secure the points for Alton. They travel to Andover this week, hoping to score more than one solitary goal.