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Alton 4 - 0 Colliers Wood Utd

30 Oct 2023

Match report by Dave Hawtin

The home crowd were witness to what must be a very rare occurrence, and something I cannot remember experiencing, a first half hat-trick from a centre half, Alton skipper Adam Brice.

All three goals came from corners. On 5 minutes he poked home from close range after the visiting keeper had somehow clawed away the initial header, on 18 minutes when the ball fell to him 8 yards out and he slammed it home and 45 minutes a clever header into the far corner.

Alton had dominated the half and but for two excellent one on one saves with his feet by the Colliers Wood keeper, it might have been a lot worse for the young visitors. On both occasions it was Louis Russell who was thwarted as he raced clear on the angle.

The second half was a cagey affair. Alton were content to let the visitors have decent possession of the ball without allowing them to threaten the home goal and with the game secure took the opportunity to use all of the substitutes available to them.

As the game entered the later stages the fresh legs, a lot of youngsters among them, turned the screw a little bit more and again the visitors goalkeeper and the penalty area were threatened at regular intervals.

The icing on the cake came on 86 minutes as Evan Anderson was put through on goal. He rounded the advancing keeper and with two defenders retreating at pace stopped his momentum allowing them both to ‘dive’ in and sail past him and walked the ball into the empty net. A very very cool finish to end the game.

At no time throughout the 90 minutes did Colliers Wood's young squad capitulate. They played some attractive football when they could, worked hard throughout and will no doubt have better days.

That said Alton were very solid and dictated the game, were clinical and disciplined.

Alton are at home again this coming Saturday when Fleet Town will be the visitors to The Exclusive Networks Stadium. Kick off 3pm.

Match Highlights from Academy TV