News

Chipstead 2 - 3 Alton

09 Mar 2026

Match report by Dave Hawtin

Alton won again on the road on a murky afternoon in Chipstead.

The team showed real resilience throughout the game and played some really good football in patches on a testing surface.

They had to battle back from conceding a goal after just two minutes. The ball was conceded too easily and the Chipstead left sided player took full advantage and raced half the length of the pitch before being being confronted by Casey Balfour who blocked his shot at goal only for the ball to fortuitously cannon back back off the attacker and into the goal.

That setback didn’t unsettle the visitors and they gradually wrestled territory and domination of the ball from the home side.

Chances were at a premium in the first half and it wasn’t until the 45th minute that the equaliser came. Jamal Branker stole in at the far post to comfortably finish past the unprotected goalkeeper.

A positive start to the second half by the visitors led to a flurry of corners that were well defended but the pressure eventually told on 55 minutes. A great cross to the back post was not cleared and Branker was again in the right place at the right time to shoot home from 8 yards.

10 minutes later and the lead was extended. A slick move and some nice football allowed Matt Benham to split the defence with a through ball which released Zak Nash who passed the ball into the net past the advancing keeper.

Nash might have scored again a few minutes later but he was just unable to connect properly with an excellent cross from Tommy Whitby.

With 15 minutes to go a rare foray into the Alton box resulted in a penalty decision that very few in attendance saw other than the most important person, the ref. A lifeline for the home side, penalty really well dispatched. A tense end to the game a result of that decision.

The home side gambled and got the ball forward quickly but the visitors dealt well most threats including a header from a corner that looked goal bound but was well cleared.

The visitors saw the game out really well and were definitely good for the 3 points.

A really tough spell of four away games on the spin negotiated when the pressure was on to secure points. An undefeated record and eight points on the board during that period is an excellent return.

Alton finally return home this Saturday 14th when Tadley Calleva will be the visitors to The Exclusive Networks Stadium. Kick off 3pm.