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Fleet Town 2 - 3 Alton

30 JUL 2025

Match report by Dave Hawtin

The 2025/26 season got underway on Tuesday night and Alton returned from Fleet with all 3 points in an entertaining game that eventually went to the wire.

The visitors created the first chance on 6 minutes. Adam Poynter headed just wide from Josh Stepney's delivery into the box.

As you might imagine the pace of the game was frantic as both sides battled to take control. Alton were winning the territory battle kicking down the slope and causing real problems for Fleet down the right flank where Angel Zapata was causing the defender all sorts of problems with his pace and dribbling skills.

The first goal came against the run of play as Fleet took the lead. A long throw found Alton wanting and the ball was driven into the net via a deflection.

They didn't hold the lead for long as the visitors struck back immediately. Matt Benham slipped a pass into Alex MacAllister and in one movement he rifled a shot into the corner of the net from 25 yards. A stunning finish.

5 minutes later and the visitors took the lead. Jamie Phillips slipped MacAllister in again and his goal bound shot was parried by the keeper into the path of Owen Tanner who finished from close range.

At the start of the second half it was still Alton on top and they should have gone further ahead 5 minutes in.

Gaps in the home defence were now being exploited at will. Benham slipping in Luke Perkins but with just the keeper to beat he dragged his shot wide.

Still they poured forward and minutes later the lead was extended. Perkins stole the ball off a defender rolled MacAllister in and he confidently dispatched the chance into the corner of the net.

During this spell the visitors really should have put the result out of site. The keeper saved well from MacAllister and Poynter had a chance at the back post but appeared to make the wrong choice in bringing the ball under control when a header might have done the job, chance lost.

Just after the hour mark the home side reduced the deficit. Once again it has to be said against the run of play. They used their height advantage to good effect to force the ball home from a corner. That lead to a very nervy last 20 minutes for the visitors as Fleet sensed an opportunity as the visitors sank deeper into a defensive shape and attempted to hold the advantage.

Alton had to defend numerous dead ball deliveries into the box and a real scare when a close range header flashed inches wide from a very good opportunity.

But hold out they did to the relief of the travelling fans.

Next up for Alton is The FA Cup, at home this Saturday 2nd August, when Wincanton Town will be the visitors to the Exclusive Networks Stadium. 3pm kick-off.

Match Highlights from Academy TV