News

Alton 0 - 2 Tadley-Calleva

16 Feb 2026

Match report by Ian Hall

A goal on the stroke of half time and a contested 2nd half penalty saw Alton slip to a two goal defeat at home to Tadley-Calleva.

Back at the Exclusive Networks Stadium after picking up 8 points from four matches on the road, Alton came into the match against 2nd placed Tadley in good form but in truth neither side shone in what was a fairly poor game.

Alton started brightly and had the better of the first half but their shooting was either wayward or straight at the keeper. An in-swinging Hadif Darwysh corner had the Tadley stopper flapping unconvincingly but no one got a touch on it and Alton failed to test him again.

Tadley had offered very little themselves until they fashioned a good chance on 30 minutes which their centre forward Kieran Rodgers blazed over but he made no mistake just before half time, slotting in former Alton fullback Dan Williamson's cross.

Neither side really got going in the 2nd half although a Tadley shot was deflected over from the goal line and from the resultant corner a free header was powered just over the bar.

From an Alton attack on the hour, Tadley won back possession, broke fast and though the initial cross went right across the area, it was sent back into the box and a forward went down in the melee. After a long pause during which the ref had still only covered half the distant from his original position, he pointed to the spot and Rodgers converted.

The 2nd goal seemed kill off Alton and Tadley's number 9 could easily have added to his tally, an effort from near the dugouts with Casey Balfour stranded, only landing a foot wide and a good finish chalked off for a tight offside.

Speaking after the match Alton's Scott Sanderson felt they were unlucky to be behind at half time and then the penalty killed it but he did admit it was flat game with Alton lacking a bit of their usual zip and the match almost had an end of season feel to it.

After a great run from the group since the changes in management they will want to finish the season well, starting with another home tie against Thatcham Town this Saturday 21st March, 3pm kick off.

Balfour, Garlinge, Roberts, Wotton, Dryden, Sanderson, Darwysh, Benham, Nash, Whitby, Mather subs: Brown, Hill, Fowler, Holubec, Howard.