News

Jersey Bulls 2 - 2 Alton

20 Aug 2024

Match report by Dave Hawtin

A well earned and hard fought point over on the island of Jersey on Saturday for Alton.

Travelling there and back in the same day is a real challenge for any side and to pit yourself against a club that consistently challenge for the title, it doesn’t get much tougher to take points home.

The game burst into life on the quarter hour as the visitors stunned the home crowd. On 16 minutes George Bowerman broke clear of a square defence and slotted home.

Three minutes later Scott Sanderson poked the ball toward goal in a goalmouth scramble only for it to be hooked clear off of the line.

Alton were not to be denied a second goal just a few minutes later. Owen Tanner broke away from another flat footed defence to slip the ball past the advancing keeper.

There was no way the home side were going to capitulate with more than hour to play and they started to threaten the visitors getting back into the game and scoring on 32 minutes.

The home side poured forward in search of an equaliser and should have got it right on half time. A fine cross was headed against the crossbar and the rebound lifted over the bar.

If the visitors thought they had ridden the storm they found themselves level just 3 minutes into the second half. A slick break down the right, a nice cross tapped in under pressure at the far post.

The visitors now had to dig in if they were to get anything from the game and that is exactly what they did.

For the rest of the game they restricted Jersey to only one real chance, that shot drifted wide from a very good goal scoring position.

Alton saw out the game without requiring the involvement or intervention of goalkeeper Stephen Douglas. A pleasant journey home with a point in the luggage bag.

Alton return home to The Exclusive Networks Stadium tonight, Tuesday 20th, for the Hampshire Senior Cup when Andover New Street will be the visitors. 7.45pm kick off.