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Alton 2 - 0 Eversley and California

20 Sep 2026

A half time tweak, after Alton had shaded the opening period but struggled to turn possession into chances, resulted in a dominant 2 0 win over bottom placed Eversley and California, propelling the hosts back up to mid-table.

Center forward Felix Hills marked his debut with a penalty and a quality finish from Mackenzie Patterson gave Alton a deserved cushion and but for some decent defending, they could easily have added several more as their confidence grew. At the other end a good display at the back earned a first clean sheet since back-to-back shut outs in August.

Tuesday night’s disappointing display prompted eight changes with only skipper Jamie Phillips, David Garlinge and Will Ledbury retaining their starting spots. There were four new signings; Sam Swyer taking over the gloves, Connor Zotsch at left-back, Jamie Hanlon in midfield and Hills leading the line. Tom Hill and Josh Pound returned at centre back with Reece Mather restored to the engine room. Mackenzie Patterson started on the right, Ledbury moving out to the left.

If Luke Turkington was looking for a reaction he certainly got it - Garlinge and Mather in particular all energy, snapping and poaching to break up any Eversley play. Ledbury was full of running and Patterson and Hills showed some neat touches whilst the home defence restricted Eversley to one long range effort. By the same token though, Alton’s tidy build up play was too often undone by an over ambitious final ball and they only really troubled the visitors twice: a Ledbury header which drew a good save and a first glimpse of Hills’ quick feet when he jinked round a defender and cracked a cross shot against the post.

For the second half, Ledbury switched back to his normal central spot, in advance of Garlinge and Mather's solid platform and he, Patterson and Hills combined well, playing some excellent stuff where it matters, carving through and around the visitors in the final third. Having run in behind on 52 minutes, Hills drew a foul from the keeper and then confidently sent him the wrong way from the spot to put the hosts ahead.

Eversley did respond and only a last-ditch tackle from Philiips prevented pacy sub Uppong from racing clean through. Uppong then had another chance well saved by Swyer, who had a faultless debut. Urged by Mather crank it back up, Alton did exactly that and effectively sealed the game when Phillips returned a half cleared free kick back into the box, Hills controlled and laid back to Patterson who jinked to his right and curled it sweetly into the bottom corner.

After Sav Shahs introduction, Patterson who had a superb second half, moved into a central position and could have had a hatful arriving late into the box – a shot inches wide, another that ricochetted off several defenders and a driving run through players before drawing another good save. Garlinge and Manny Acheampong also had efforts and Phillips, who’s 300s appearance in midweek was recognised before kick-off, will rarely have caught a sweeter strike than a rasping half volley that required another diving parry from the keeper.

Two late saves from Swyers capped a good display and preserved the clean sheet. There will undoubtedly be tougher matches ahead but if Alton play like this every week they will win their share of them.

Swyer, Phillips (C), Garlinge, Zotsch, Mather, Hanlon, Ledbury, Hills, Patterson, Hill, Pound. Subs: McLean, Lever, Acheampong, Shah, Matthews.