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Alton 2 - 2 Tadley Calleva

20 Feb 23

Neither side deserved to win or lose this game...

Match report by Dave Hawtin

The first half of this encounter was very uneventful with neither side posing a real goal threat.

The two sides were eventually seperated at the half time interval from the penalty spot when an alert striker reacted quickest to a ball that was helped into the penalty area and he was upended by the unprotected Mees in the home goal. Wright belting the resulting spot kick home with confidence.

The second half also started slowly and the home side only came alive after falling a second goal behind. Wright sending a free kick from 20 yards into the back of the net off of the right hand post. Two goalkeepers were unlikely to stop it, great finish.

This woke the home side up and they showed greater energy and willingness and pushed the visitors back.

The lifeline came on 66 minutes. Matt Graham’s delivery from the left allowed Luke Perkins to slide the ball out of his feet and strike home from 12 yards.

The introduction of fresh legs in the last 15 minutes brought an even bigger threat from Alton. Mees was only called upon once in that period to parry a stinging shot from 25 yards in the home goal.

The home side were now creating numerous chances of their own and as the game entered the very late stages the resolute defending from the visitors looked to have seen them secure the three points.

Then in the last minute Tadley struggled to clear a corner, Caborn nicked the ball just before it was about to be cleared out of the ground and the follow through of the defender caught him. Penalty to Alton. Matt Graham showed great nerve and calmly stroked home the equaliser.

Neither deserved to win or lose this game, it was the right result.

Another HOME game for Alton tomorrrow (Tuesday) evening when high flying Jersey visit The Exclusive Networks Stadium. 19:45 kick off.