20 JAN 2025
Match report by Dave Hawtin
Two first half goals were enough to take all three points for the home side in what was a disciplined and dominant display.
Balham made a quick start and were first to the ball in the very early stages, but it was the home side who gained a foothold and they were first to threaten when Owen Tanner headed over when well placed.
It didn’t take long for the home side to take the lead. Adam Poynter broke clear and was fouled by the goalkeeper. He himself stepped up to confidently dispatch his shot into the corner of the net.
Goalmouth action and chances were then at a premium right up until the 40th minute. A slick move down the left allowed Siph Mdlalose to gain ground and deliver a super pass into the stride of Matt Benham who clinically finished past the advancing keeper.
All the serious goalmouth incidents in the second half happened in the visitor's goalmouth as the home side looked to finish off the contest.
Tolu Ayaji-Obe headed over before Benham forced the keeper into producing two super diving saves in a 10 minute spell that kept Balham in the game.
On 78 minutes Mdlalose clipped a ball past the keeper but was denied the goal his display deserved as he watched the ball bounce agonisingly back into play off of the far post into the path of Liam Marshall but somehow the only defender who had retreated to his own goal line deflected his goal bound effort wide.
Alton saw the game out comfortably to record the win.
Alton travel to league-leaders AFC Whyteleafe this coming Saturday before returning home the following Saturday 1st February, when Knaphill will be the visitors to The Exclusive Networks Stadium.