Alton 1 - 2 Redhill
17 Oct 2023
Match report by Dave Hawtin
Having fought their way back into the game, Alton will regret having to play the last 20 minutes with 10 men.
Jack Fowler was sent off for raising his hands to an opponent and it really did look like a very harsh and over the top reaction by the referee. The opponents reaction didn’t help but if you play with fire you sometimes get burnt.
Redhill broke the deadlock on 17 minutes when the ball was lost 30 yards from goal and a shot from range deflected into the far corner of the net. From our position the challenge for the ball from behind by the Redhill player looked to have fouled Kavanagh but the goal was allowed to stand.
Alton were very nearly level soon after, Scott Sanderson broke clear and from a full 35 yards saw the keeper off of his line and sent in a delightful chip but, with the home supporters preparing to celebrate, the keeper somehow managed to fling himself backwards to claw the ball over the bar. An amazing and brave save as the keeper landed heavily against a post.
As the half wore on Lewis Mees in the home goal kept his side in the game with a great save, blocking the ball wide from an attacker who was clear on goal and just 12 yards out.
Alton clawed their way back into the game on the hour. Sanderson spun neatly in the box and his shot on target deflected off of a desperate defender's challenge into the same corner of the net that had given the visitors the lead.
After the sending off it felt like the home side were going to need to dig in and repel the visitors who clearly saw their chance. When on close to 80 minutes Mees once again made a super save from a goal bound strike from 15 yards it raised hope that the home side might see this game out. Sadly from the resulting corner the ball could not be cleared and after a spot of pinball in the 6 yard box the ball was turned in for what turned out to be the winner.
The closest the home side came to a second equaliser was after a free kick to the back post was headed back across goal, the second header back across the flat footed keeper just didn’t have enough pace on it to beat the defender on the line.
Alton are in home action again this Saturday when Abbey Rangers will be the visitors to The Exclusive Networks Stadium. Kick off 3pm.
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