News

Balham 3 - 0 Alton

26 Jan 2026

Match report by Dave Hawtin

Not an easy afternoon for Alton on Saturday on a heavy playing surface against a side fighting for survival.

The first half was attritional with not a lot between either team but the home side took the lead on 25 minutes when a defender strode onto a bouncing ball and with momentum in his favour he somehow bulldozed through the centre of the park without a challenge from a visitor to slot the ball under the exposed keeper.

Alton's only real chance of the half fell to Millo after a delightful cross from Macallister but his shot from 15 yards fell nicely into the goalkeeper's arms.

Following the half time break Alton would need to be better, and they were, creating chances and pushing the home side back who were sensibly trying to slow the game down at every opportunity.

In a 10 minute spell, Alton hit the bar, had a shot that the keeper somehow parried cleared off the line by a retreating defender, and saw another goal bound shot deflected wide with the keeper well beaten.

With less than 15 minutes to go the game swung again this time on a sin binning as Alton were reduced to 10 men just as the home side were looking weary and vulnerable.

That appeared to encourage them and as the visitors pushed on they broke twice to seal the victory very late in the game.

Alton travel to Epsom & Ewell tomorrow (Tuesday) evening, kick off 7:45pm.