ALTON 4, ALDERSHOT & FARNHAM II 1

ALTON beat mid-table Aldershot & Farnham II to round off a perfect first half of the season – 11 wins from 11 matches in Hampshire 3.

The leaders met strong resistance from A&F and had to work hard to gain the advantage. Martin Kercher and Nick Bagley-Reed were frequently foiled by the visitors’ excellent keeper, while Stuart Gagen had a goal disallowed.

A&F had their fair share of possession and the Alton back four, led by skipper Nigel Downing, had to stay alert.

With the pressure mounting, good work from Harry Curtis in midfield finally set Bagley-Reed free to slide the ball home for the breakthrough goal.

But A&F, determined to put Alton to the test, equalised from a short corner just before half-time.

The home side looked nervous as the second half got underway and A&F, sensing a chance, pushed forward boldly.

Downing finally put Alton back on track, losing his marker and placing the ball in the bottom right corner.

With their tails up, Alton soon struck again as Gagen finished a smooth short-corner routine.

More fine goalkeeping kept A&F in the game until Kercher put the game to bed. After a splendid run from Gagen, Kercher collected the ball and scored from a tight angle, the ball pinging in off the post.

Alton, six points clear at the top, get back to league action on January 14 when they host Fareham V at Amery Hill.