News

Knaphill 2 - 3 Alton

06 OCT 2025

Match report by Dave Hawtin

3 points on the road was just what the doctor ordered after a difficult period of inconsistency and player availability had affected results.

Knaphill is never an easy place to go and get a positive result and Saturday proved no different as in just the last 10 minutes alone the game nearly turned on its head.

The visitors might have taken the lead on 10 minutes but the cross to the back post left Merrifield over stretching in his attempt to slot the ball home.

They then found themselves a goal behind just three minutes later. A free kick was dispatched into the top corner top from 25 yards, a really good finish.

On 20 minutes the visitors were level. Macallister and Beckley carved open a chance for Millo which he duly dispatched.

The visitors were now on top and having survived a sin binning took the lead on 38 minutes. Zapata surged forward and played in Beckley whose goal bound shot went in off a retreating defender to give the visitors the lead.

Just two minutes later and the visitors thought they had extended their lead. Dryden shot home from 12 yards when the home side failed to clear a corner but were quickly left frustrated when the referee awarded a free kick for a push.

Throughout the first half the home side were still finding gaps down the sides of Alton’s defence and right on half time should well have equalised when the keeper was left one on one. The ball was poked past him onto the foot of the post and fell fortunately back into his arms as he lay prone on the ground.

In the early stages of the second half Alton were still dominating possession and were rewarded a third goal on 55 minutes when Benham chased down a lost cause, won his battle with a defender and slid the ball into Macallister for a simple tap in.

The next 30 minutes were somewhat uneventful with Alton seemingly in control but that changed with just three minutes of normal time remaining. Knaphill were awarded a penalty which thankfully Ashby-Hammond saved when he blocked the shot and regained the rebound as strikers bore down on him.

Deep into injury time Knaphill did claw back a goal back when a free kick from wide left somehow found the back of the net. No time to restart the game.

Alton return home this Saturday 11th to start a run of four consecutive home games, when Eversley & California will be the visitors to The Exclusive Networks Stadium. 3pm kick off. Look out for 'arrive early' food and drink promotions!