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Alton 3 - 1 Hillingdon Borough

21 Dec 2023

Match report by Dave Hawtin

Two goals in the last five minutes of this game from Perry Coles eventually secured Alton’s place in the next round of the league cup.

They were made to work hard for it by the spirited visitors from Hillingdon who took a very early lead when their striker latched onto to a defensive error to comfortably beat Mees in the home goal.

They really should have extended the lead quite quickly but the same striker who again broke clear of the defence failed to beat Mees on the second occasion as he stood tall to gather the shot.

In an attacking sense it was basically all Alton for last hour of the game. They knocked on the door on multiple occasions before finally equalising on the stroke of half time when Sanderson broke clear on the left and shot into the far corner.

The second half continued in the same vein. A mix of poor finishing, desperate defending and a visiting goalkeeper who whilst carrying a minor knock from the first half appeared to act as a magnet to the ball as he was not tested or required to fling himself around the goal.

The visitors rarely ventured into the home team’s penalty area but on the one occasion they did it was a very tight offside flag that prevented them re-taking the lead.

Still Alton poured forward in search of a winner. Two good penalty shouts were waved away and the woodwork was rattled before finally in the 88th minute Coles shot home from 18 yards to the relief of the home crowd.

He wasn’t finished there as he quickly swept home a cross from Jack Fowler after a slick move down the right flank.

A nervous start, spirited opposition who worked hard throughout, but the right result in the end.

Back to league action this Saturday and a festive fixture at The Exclusive Networks Stadium when Sandhurst Town will be the visitors. Christmas jumpers encouraged. Kick off 3pm.

Match Highlights from Academy TV