Alton 2 - 2 Abbey Rangers
09 Nov 2026
Match report by Ian Hall
An excellent performance from Alton, who had come back from two goals down before being reduced to 10 early in the second half, earned a good point against promotion chasing Abbey Rangers.
After a perfectly observed silence ahead of Remembrance Day, a big crown at the Exclusive Networks were treated to the classic game of three thirds. Goals from Turnell Sinclair and Jake Woods put the visitors two up after half an hour but a good finish by Sav Shah just before half time and Will Lebury’s long range strike just after levelled the scores. When Josh Pound saw red just before the hour, Abbey pressed forward in search of a winner and Alton were forced into a rearguard effort but could even have pinched it when Shah struck the post.
Alton appeared start with a slightly lopsided formation - three across the back: Pound and skipper Jamie Phillips flanking Ed Scott. Tom Hill, David Garlinge and Recce Mather were in the middle with Mackenzie Patterson on the right behind Shah, Ledbury as an improvised centre forward and Geri Catana the only player on the left. After a bright start from Alton when they had 4 chances in the first 7 minutes, the best being Ledbury shot that fizzed over from outside the box, Abbey started to exploit the space down their right. Their strong, fast winger Jae Kelly looked dangerous and after one driving run into the box, Sinclair sent him free behind again, he cut inside Phillips and though Stephen Douglas made a very smart save from point blank range, Sinclair had followed up to poke the rebound home.
Shortly after Alton conceded a poor second from an Alton throw. With no movement and the ref’s count down to 1, Phillip’s throw up the line was returned straight back into the empty channel and Kelly darted clear to find Woods unmarked for a tap in.
To their credit Alton responded immediately and from a wide free kick, a back post header over the keeper was hooked away by a defender on the line. Kelly got in behind again but Catana did very well to nip in and snuff out the chance – Abbey’s claims for hand ball rightly ignored. Another Kelly cross was perfectly placed for Sinclair to steam on to but Pound just got a toe to the ball before the centre forward absolutely clattered him for his trouble.
Just before the break Alton got a lifeline when Shah nipped in, rounded the keeper and finished well. After half time they put on Manny Acheampong on the left and on 51 minutes came a much needed moment of magic – my hot dog arrived. At this exact point, Catana (I’m told) found Ledbury outside the box and this time another cracking strike flew into the net via the slightest of flicks.
Alton’s momentum was abruptly stopped on 55 mins when Pound was dismissed for kneeing an opponent. The hosts now found themselves pegged back but perhaps this helped - reverting to a compact shape they looked far more solid. Phillips had to react quickly to clear a dangerous ball behind and Douglas dealt with anything in the air. As Alton tired late on Abbey had their best chances forcing a comfortable save and then a bullet header drew a very smart double effort from the Alton stopper.
Alton had a couple of good moves and a jinking Shah looked to have nicked in when he cracked a shot away which beat the keeper only to come back off the post. Right at the death a foul and slap from Kelly in front of the packed home terrace resulted in some handbags and a red for the winger, to send the Alton “Ultras” home even happier.
Douglas, Catana, Scott, Pound, Phillips (C), Garlinge, Mather, Patterson, Hill, Shah, Ledbury. Subs: Ajayi-Obe, Acheampong, McLean, Greenaway, Matthews
