News

Alton 1 - 2 Cobham

11 Jan 2026

Match report by Sam Lay

Alton continued their Combined Counties Premier Division South campaign with a home fixture against runaway league leaders Cobham, and despite the gap in league positions, it was Alton who looked the sharper side for long periods of the game.

From the opening whistle, Alton produced one of their best first half performances of the season, pressing Cobham all over the pitch and moving the ball confidently when in possession. With a better final ball, the hosts could easily have caused the visitors more problems. Jack Roberts and Josh Millo worked tirelessly down the flanks, protecting the makeshift full backs and providing excellent support for Macallister up front.

The first clear chance of the game fell to Alton skipper Alex Merrifield after 16 minutes, heading over from a well taken corner. Alton continued to press intelligently and use the ball well, but in a familiar story this season, fell behind to Cobham’s first real opportunity. On 30 minutes, Ryan Marklew wrong footed the Alton defence before finding the net to put the league leaders ahead.

Cobham emerged for the second half with more intent, showing why they sit comfortably at the top of the table. A free kick on 50 minutes forced a fine save from Alton keeper Adam Melville, who was called into action again on 63 minutes with another sharp stop as Cobham threatened to double their lead.

After weathering that spell, Alton regained control and were rewarded with a deserved equaliser in the 67th minute. Centre back turned right back Ed Dryden produced a storming run, cutting inside from the right before the ball ricocheted into the path of Josh Millo, who unleashed a brilliant strike high past the Cobham goalkeeper. Game on.

Buoyed by the goal, Alton pressed again, forcing errors from Cobham and coming agonisingly close to taking the lead when substitute Angel Zapata struck the post following excellent work from Macallister. The momentum felt firmly with the hosts.

However, deep into added time, Alton won a corner and committed bodies forward in search of a winner. Cobham punished the over commitment with a devastating counter attack, finished clinically by Thomas to make it 2 1 with virtually the last kick of the game.

There was no time for a response, and Alton were left once again with nothing to show for a huge effort — arguably their best performance of the season against top class opposition.

We go again at home next weekend against Corinthian-Casuals on Saturday 17th January, kick off 3.00pm.