ALTON FC 7, AMESBURY 3

ALTON powered into the first round proper of the FA Vase after putting Wessex Premier League side Amesbury to the sword at The Enclosure on Saturday.

A scintillating first-half performance by the Brewers put the game beyond the visitors. Alton took the lead in just the second minute as Danny Knee got down the right and his cross was headed home by Callum Burch.

Another chance went begging as Knee and Scott Sanderson got in each other’s way, but Alton soon doubled their lead. Following another Knee cross, John Cass was denied by keeper Paddy Crease, but Sanderson was on hand to fire home the rebound.

The Brewers were now rampant on their 3G pitch. Taylor Watts hit the crossbar and Crease made two fine saves from Burch.

Amesbury attempted to break away from a corner, but Joe Clarke made a trademark tackle and the ball broke to Watts whose sublime pass allowed Knee to give Crease no chance for Alton’s third.

With Matt Petts almost a spectator in the home goal, more good work from Knee set up Burch for his second goal. Almost immediately, Sanderson got on the end of Clarke’s free-kick to head home the fifth.

Jordan Matthews, unmarked in the six-yard box, missed a sitter for Amesbury, but soon after half-time Cameron Roach headed in at the back post to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

A minute later, Burch played in Sanderson who completed his hat-trick to put the game out of Amesbury’s reach. As Alton at last eased off, Connor Millar pulled another back for Amesbury and then Kieran Stephens reduced the deficit to 6-3.

Alton, though, had the last word. From a corner, Sanderson’s header was blocked on the line, but Ben Williams was there to dispatch the rebound.

• Alton are drawn away to Hengrove Athletic of the Western League Premier Division in the next round on October 21. They travel to Romsey Town this Saturday in the league, keen to continue their impressive run of form.

Alton: Petts, Colbourne, Cass, Copplestone, Williams, Flanighan, Knee, Clarke, Burch, Sanderson, Watts. Subs: Thorpe, Hayes, Corbett (all used).

• Not to be outdone, Alton Reserves trounced Bosham 9-0 in their Wyvern Combination fixture. Max James Paddon had a day to remember, scoring five goals, and Aaron Cresswell and Adam Allaway got two apiece.