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FA Vase (Second Qualifying Round): Cove 3 - 2 Alton

22 SEP 2025

Match report by Dave Hawtin

Two goals from Josh Millo were not enough to stop Alton exiting the FA Vase on a difficult and challenging afternoon at Cove.

The game was a scrappy affair and not one for the football purist.

The visitors took the lead after 26 minutes when Millo arrived right on time to head home from a fine cross from Macallister.

Unfortunately they held the lead for just three minutes when they failed to deal with a long throw and conceded softly at the back post.

We went into the break all square, but the visitors conceded again just three minutes into the second half all too easily.

A long ball forward down the left was not dealt with and with defenders struggling to get back goal side the ball was delivered into the penalty area and dispatched confidently past goalkeeper Ashby-Hammond.

Chances throughout the whole game were rare even though the visitors were dominating territorially.

The home side were fortunate to keep the lead on 75 minutes. Poynter drove a shot across the diving goalkeeper only for it to hit the far post, avoid the oncoming Zak Nash as it came back into the six yard box and land straight in the arms of the grounded keeper.

With just two minutes of normal time remaining Alton conceded softly again from another long throw and even though Millo pulled one back deep into injury time, again following good work from Poynter, sadly it was not to be enough.

Alton return to league action at home this Saturday 27th, when Abbey Rangers will be the visitors to The Exclusive Networks Stadium. 3pm kick off.

Match Highlights from Academy TV