News

Banstead Athletic 1 - 1 Alton

13 Mar 23

Alton will feel they did more than enough to secure the three points on Saturday afternoon.

Match report by Dave Hawtin

The pitch passed an inspection late morning and was dotted with sand throughout and around the centre circle. Whilst it is the same for both sides it isn’t the best of surfaces and it definitely helped the home side on the day.

The opportunity to run with the ball whilst keeping it under control was a challenge and there was no life in the pitch to allow a good strike of the ball.

That said the visitors should have put this game to bed in the first half. Dominating territory and creating numerous opportunities throughout they somehow fell a goal behind on 16 minutes. An Alton corner was cleared in a scramble at one end and 20 seconds later they have conceded to a break that should have been avoided.

To their credit they equalised 3 minutes later. Perkins broke away down the right, drove into the box, and Mladlose forced the ball home from close range.

Chances came and went for the visitors and the home keeper made two vital blocks from Benham and Caborn whilst dealing comfortably with other attempts that lacked power.

The second half was never going to be one for the purist and whilst Alton still dominated possession and territory the home side dug in and defended bravely.

On the odd occasion that the visitors created an opportunity, the final ball and decision making let them down. Points shared.

Alton continue league action, on the road again this Saturday, travelling to Balham, then return home for Non League Day 2023 the following Saturday 25th March, when Guildford City will be the visitors to The Exclusive Networks Stadium.