ALTON 10,

CITY OF PORTSMOUTH II 1

ALTON, playing their first home game of 2017, dispatched lowly City of Portsmouth II with ease, racking up double figures at Amery Hill.

Aiming to produce their best form and to remind everyone why they are unbeaten Hampshire 3 leaders, Alton attacked from the start.

City put up some gritty defence, but a goal had to come and youngster Jack Hawkes smashed the ball into the roof of the net for a goal on his first-team debut.

Scott Reading doubled the lead from a short corner before the defiant visitors pulled one back with a drag-flick from a short corner of their own.

A goal apiece from Stuart Gagen and Tom Singleton made it 4-1 at the break and Alton were ready to fill their boots in the second half.

City continued to resist, though, forcing Alton to move the ball wide to find a way through.

Chances came and Alton streaked into a 7-1 lead as Nick Bagley-Reed, Hawkes and Gagen scored in quick succession.

The Portsmouth side retreated deeper and deeper into their own half under the increasing pressure.

Martin Kercher added the eighth and a bizarre effort followed from James Wilson, the ball bouncing off a defender’s foot and nutmegging the keeper.

With time running out and City tiring, Kercher again found himself well placed in the circle to score Alton’s tenth and final goal.

Alton make the short trip to play Yateley II this Saturday.

Tadley 1, Alton II 4 (Div 7). Alton twos maintained their 100 per cent record with a hard-fought win at Tadley. The leaders began at a blistering pace and were soon rewarded as Goulding Stewart swept the ball into the roof of the net. Other chances went begging and Tadley made the visitors pay with an equaliser from a short corner.

After the break, Alton regularly cut through the home defence and goals from Stratford and Dave Compton had Tadley reeling. Goulding Stewart added his second with a deflected shot.

Alton III 8, Camberley & Farnborough IV?0 (Div 9). Alton thirds, also top of their league, meant business from the start and Camberley had no answer to their quick, short-passing. Seven players shared the goals, reflecting the overall team effort.