ALTON 5, BOURNEMOUTH III 2

AFTER several weeks of just falling short, Alton finally made their hard work pay off with this deserved win at Amery Hill.

Bournemouth thirds went into the game sitting fourth in the Hampshire 2 table and Alton knew that a positive start was essential.

They certainly started well, sending the ball wide and using their pace down the flanks to put Bournemouth’s defence to the test.

Early chances fell to Martin Kercher and Felix Morrison, and although the shots went wide, Alton sensed an opportunity. Sure enough, the pressure paid off when Scott Reading slotted the ball into the bottom right corner for the first goal.

Soon, Alton were on the attack again and Kercher was well positioned to slide home the second goal.

Rain was pouring down at the start of the second half as Alton set out to defend their 2-0 advantage and again they looked the stronger team.

Within ten minutes, Reading’s short-corner strike beat the visiting defence to make it 3-0.

Bournemouth were shaken and Alton needed less than five minutes to add a fourth goal. Some great work in midfield from Pete Howland set up Kercher who drove into the circle and slammed the ball past the helpless keeper.

Bournemouth started to ask more of the home defence and, after a string of short corners, pulled one back to dash Alton’s hopes of a clean sheet.

Then a short-corner shot hit Reading’s foot on the line, resulting in a penalty stroke, and despite a valiant effort by keeper Lawrence Jones, Bournemouth closed the gap to 4-2 with 15 minutes to go.

Both defences came under pressure, but after some good spells of possession and with only five minutes left, Alton secured the points. After another left-wing raid, the ball was fired into the circle and Luke Smith slipped his man to tap home at the back post.

With a second victory of the season under their belts, Alton now prepare for a tough trip to Haslemere, the unbeaten leaders.