Alton 3 - 2 Corinthian-Casuals
19 Jan 2026
Match report by Dave Hawtin
After a goalless first half when defences were on top, this game burst into life in the second half.
The home side took the lead on 48 minutes when Matt Benham put David Garlinge in on goal. With a slightly difficult angle to get himself, he selflessly rolled the ball square to Josh Millo for a simple finish.
The visitors equalised on the hour when the home side went to sleep and were caught out by a long throw that was able to travel through way too many players to an attacker who rolled a shot agonisingly past the despairing keeper into the far corner.
Just two minutes later and Alton were back in front. Millo broke clear and shot across the keeper, his shot rebounded off of the far post, hit a retreating defender and nestled nicely in the corner of the net.
That lead didn't last long again as another long throw on 64 minutes was not dealt with and was bundled in at the back post.
The action didn't stop there as the home side took the lead for the third time from the penalty spot in the 70th minute. Matt Benham finished confidently after Alex Macallister was upended in the penalty area. It looked contentious but you take them when they are given.
Still 20 minutes to go, the home crowd were in for another tense end to the game. Corinthian were denied on 75 minutes when they broke clear, the attacker decided to loft the ball over the keeper Adam Melville who somehow clawed the ball away to concede a corner. Game changing save that.
Both Nash and Ntim had chances to put the game out of site for the home side in the last five minutes but the visiting keeper did well on both occasions to make it difficult for them.
The final whistle was greeted with a sigh of relief from around the ground. Another really solid performance of hard work and flair was rewarded this week against a physically intimidating side. Another really entertaining game.
Alton travel to 2nd placed Knaphill tomorrow (Tuesday) evening for another tough test, kick off 7:45pm.
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