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Alton 3 - 2 Redhill

15 FEB 2025

Match report by Tom White, Alton Herald

Alton earn impressive win against Combined Counties Premier Division South leaders Redhill

Alex McAllister’s hat-trick was enough to give the Brewers the three points in front of a crowd of 203 at The Exclusive Networks Stadium.

The visitors had an early chance to take the lead when Sam Fitzgerald’s effort from the edge of the box on three minutes went over the bar.

The Brewers then took the lead a minute later when Joe Wotton’s ball over the top found McAllister, who produced a composed finish across Redhill keeper Luke Roberts into the bottom right-hand corner.

Redhill nearly got back on level terms in the 11th minute when Archie Harland-Goddard hooked his effort wide at the far post.

The visitors went close again on 24 minutes when a corner picked out Joe Dyett at the far post, but his header was comfortably held by Alton keeper Adam Melville.

The Brewers nearly doubled their advantage a minute later when Owen Tanner hit a powerful effort from just outside the box which was well held by Roberts after an excellent run by Liam Marshall.

McAllister had a good chance to score his second of the afternoon in the 34th minute when Tanner’s excellent delivery found McAllister in the box, but his left-foot effort went just over the bar.

Alton led 1-0 at the break and nearly doubled their advantage in the opening minute of the second half when Adam Poynter’s effort was well blocked.

The Brewers did double their advantage on 52 minutes when McAllister produced a composed left-foot finish into the bottom left-hand corner.

Redhill pulled a goal back two minutes later when Nathan Hogan headed home from close range to make it 2-1 after Callum McAllister’s long throw had been flicked on.

The hosts nearly restored their two-goal advantage in the 61st minute when Marshall’s curling effort from the edge of the box went just over the bar.

Redhill almost got back on level terms on 69 minutes when Alex Keating’s close-range header was superbly tipped over the bar by Melville.

The Brewers broke quickly from the resulting corner and McAllister played a neat one-two with Poynter before curling his right-foot finish into the bottom right-hand corner to complete his hat-trick and put the hosts 3-1 up.

The visitors made it 3-2 in the 72nd minute when Hogan scored his second of the afternoon with a swerving right-foot effort from distance which flashed past Melville into the back of the net.

Alton had an excellent chance to go 4-2 up shortly afterwards when they won a penalty after Poynter was fouled in the box by Sean Swift.

Poynter stepped up from the spot but dragged his left-foot effort wide of the right-hand post.

The Lobsters pushed for an equaliser and Hogan went close on 84 minutes when his right-foot effort went just wide of the near post.

The Brewers were reduced to ten men late on when McAllister was sent off in the 88th minute, but the hosts managed to see out the rest of the game to claim their third successive win in the league and continue their good form.

Alton travel to Corinthian Casuals next Saturday 22nd before returning home on Saturday 1st March, when Tooting & Mitcham will be the visitors to THe Exclusive Networks Stadium. Kick off 3pm.

Match Highlights from Academy TV