Verwood Town 2 - 3 Alton

Alton travelled to Verwood on Saturday, dug in and put in a workman like performance to come away with all three points in what was often a disjointed game.

Alton as so often the case this season started brightly. Luke Perkins put in a cross in the first minute that Verwood were happy to clear for a corner, from which Scott Sanderson headed wide

Verwood keeper Haigh, collected an Alton free kick, before Justin Courtnage collected a Verwood cross.

Alton took the lead as Perkins and Jack Fowler combined on the right to set up Oli Graham, and from twenty five yards his left foot shot left Haigh rooted to the spot.

Phil Moore shepherded a Verwood through ball out of play before Scott Sanderson found his shooting boots, but shot straight at Haigh.

Courtnage's clearance was headed on by Sanderson but Perkins shot wide as Alton looked to increase their lead.

With the referee becoming more fussy the game lost some of it's rhythm as free kicks were having to be taken at the exact spot and advantages were in danger of leaving the game altogether.

Liam Knight intercepted a ball in midfield and drove through the Verwood back line, but Haigh was equal to it and smothered the chance.

It was rather against the run of play that Verwood equalised, Alton lost the ball in the midfield area, the ball was played out right, Alton had chances to clear but tried to play their way out of trouble, unfortunalty the ball fell to Maddocks, whose cross found Vint, who got in front of Courtnage to head home.

The equaliser gave Verwood renewed hope and Jacob Channon had to be alert as he put in a well timed tackle as Vint bore down on goal.

From the corner Gajic had a free header, that Courtnage collected. Jack Fowler's cross found Perkins, whose shot was parried by the keeper, Liam Knight got to the rebound first but was unable to get a shot away as he was surrounded by defenders.

Alton regained the lead Stuart Green won the ball in midfield, and the Moore played an exquisite ball through the Verwood back line and Knight ran onto it to give Haigh no chance.

Oli Graham headed a Sanderson cross over, before Sanderson shot wide. Gajic had a wonderful chance to equalise at the start of the second half, but somehow screwed his shot wide with only Courtnage to beat.

Alton replied and Perkins should have done better but when clear he lifted his shot over the bar.

Verwood appealed for a penalty as Moore made a tackle in the area, and from the following play Courtnage had to go full stretch to turn away another Vine header that looked destined for the top corner.

Alton increased their lead when another ball through the middle of the Verwood defence found Perkins and like Knight in the first half he gave Haigh no chance.

Dyer shot high and wide, before Fowler and Graham combined but Knight shot wide. Hall had a chance for Verwood, before with time running out Verwood got their second as Davies gave Courtnage no chance as once again Alton dithered with the ball, when a clearance was called for.

In seasons past Alton would have collapsed at this set back, but the players dug in and held out under pressure as Verwood searched an improbable equaliser.

Next up two home game as Hythe & Dibden visit the Enclosure on Tuesday, while New Milton Town are the visitors on Saturday.

Squad:- J.Courtnage, P.Moore, M.Graham, L.Knight, J.Channon, M.Grindel, J.Fowler, S.Green, O.Graham, L.Perkins, S.Sanderson
Subs[all used] S.Black, M.Clarke, G.Bowerman