BAFFINS MILTON ROVERS 3, ALTON 1

ALTON’S six-match winning run was ended by a strong and physical Baffins Milton Rovers at the Kendall Stadium on Tuesday.

The Portsmouth outfit, currently third in Division One of the Sydenhams League (Wessex) following promotion from the Hampshire Premier League last season, proved too strong for Alton who were weakened by injuries, illness and unavailability, although marginal decisions also had a bearing on the result.

Manager Clive Ventham had to make five changes to the team that had dispatched Fleet Spurs the previous week.

Both sides created chances early on. Adam Westwood forced a save from Baffins keeper Tony Male, while the home side were denied a penalty for what appeared to be a blatant push in the area.

However, Baffins went ahead after eight minutes. Ryan Pennery, looking suspiciously offside, raced through to give Kallum Lunn no chance.

Lunn had to be alert to keep out another effort and then Pennery had a golden chance to make it 2-0. After rounding Lunn, he shot into the sidenetting when it seemed easier to score.

This let-off spurred Alton forward and they deservedly equalised. After a quick throw-out from Lunn, Callum Burch found Aaron Bunney who bundled the ball home.

Now it was Alton on top and Burch and Mitch Parker saw shots fly narrowly wide. At the other end, Ali Gill made a last-ditch tackle to foil the Rovers and from the resultant corner, Westwood cleared a goalbound header off the line with Lunn beaten.

The Brewers didn’t learn, though, and from another corner, just before the break, the referee decided the ball had crossed the line and Baffins’ lead was restored, the goal being credited to Tyler Yates.

The game was as good as settled in the opening minutes of the second half. First, poor defending allowed Callum Dart to increase Baffins’ lead and then two yellow cards for centre-half Adam Aimable reduced Alton to ten men.

To their credit, the visitors regrouped and Bunney had a shot blocked as they fought to get back in the game.

Manager Ventham made a cameo appearance on his 49th birthday and immediately got in behind the Baffins defence, only to be hauled down as he was about to shoot. The referee awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box (Alton thought it was inside) and showed merely a yellow card.

Parker’s free-kick was saved and the final chance of the game also fell to Parker who was again foiled by Male.

Alton return to their 3G pitch at the Anstey Park Enclosure this Saturday when they entertain Hythe & Dibden.

Alton Reserves resume action in the Wyvern Combination Division One East with a fixture at Hamble Club this Saturday.