ALTON 3, SOUTHAMPTON UNI 2

ALTON Ladies, despite fielding a much-changed side, consolidated second place in the Hampshire 2 table with a hard-earned win over the Southampton University students.

It took the home side a while to click, during which time the University pushed hard and took the lead.

Alton sorted out their formation and were soon on the attack. Steph Millington’s pass found Louise Yeadon waiting at the top of the D to cleanly strike home the equaliser.

Energised by the goal, Alton pressed again. Naomi Jones, breaking from defence, linked up with Yeadon who crossed into the circle for Jones to deflect the ball into the roof of the net; 2-1 to Alton at half-time.

It took Alton just 30 second of the second half to add their third goal. Jenny Rust rounded several players before striking the ball into the D where Ariana Hawkins pounced to beat the keeper with a reverse-stick shot.

The students were stung back into action and made the rest of the game hard work for Alton. Pressing high up the pitch, Southampton pulled it back to 2-3, but despite their best efforts, couldn’t find the equaliser and Alton held out to take the points.