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Swindon Supermarine 2 - 0 Alton

18 AUG 2025

Match report by Dave Hawtin

Alton bowed out of the FA cup on Monday night but they can hold their heads up high, over the two games they more than matched an opponent who six months earlier were playing in a league two steps higher, less we forget that in the first game they were just seconds away from victory.

The quick turn around of a Monday night replay down in Swindon was certainly a test of the strength of the squad and to a man they showed great commitment and passion to more than compete for another 90 minutes. These boys have day jobs that meant a lot of them travelled a long distance.

As for the game, Alton were fast out of the blocks and dominated the first 15 minutes. The home side then showed some glimpses of their pace and ability and took the lead on the half our when a cross to the back post was headed home from close range.

Back came the visitors to test the home keeper as the game approached half time and he was grateful when he was beaten but a defender blocked the goal bound shot on the line.

The second half was nip and tuck. The visitors made a couple of great blocks in the box to defend dangerous situations and then forced the game by replacing defensive minded players with attackers to try to rescue the game.

On eighty minutes Swindon broke at pace and extended the lead with a crisp finish from 20 yards to give themselves some breathing space.

Still Alton pushed. MacAllister hit a stinging free kick from 25 yards that the keeper superbly pushed over the bar and you knew it was to not be their night when Merrifield shot home when the home side struggled to clear a corner only for the linesman's flag that signaled he was offside. Tough call as he appeared to be onside even though other colleagues were in an offside position.

A really good contest over the two games and Alton should recognise their performance. Hats off also to the 20+ Alton supporters who made the trek down to support the side on a Monday evening.

Back to league action for Alton this coming Bank Holiday Monday, when Badshot Lea will be the visitors to The Exclusive Networks Stadium for an early 11:30am kick off.