ALTON 2, ALDERSHOT & FARNHAM 4

ALDERSHOT & Farnham’s extra firepower gave them the edge over local rivals Alton at Amery Hill.

A&F move up to fourth in the table, while Alton drop to tenth ahead of another local derby this weekend – against Haslemere.

Both teams went into the match on a positive note, having beaten Southampton teams 2-1 the previous week.

The first half was closely contested. A&F pushed hard from the off, but Alton defended well and counter-attacked to good effect.

And it was Alton who scored first. Millie Wakefield drove down the right and the resulting cross was deflected smoothly into the roof of the net by Jose Smith.

Aldershot & Farnham were stung into greater efforts, but were thwarted by excellent tackling from Sophie Reading, Caroline Orange and Hayley Chalkley and some agile saves by Louise Yeadon.

A&F, with a re-arranged forward line, came out all guns blazing for the second half. A powerful shot was bravely saved by Yeadon, but Alton failed to clear the danger and Sara Nankivell undercut the ball into the far corner for the equaliser.

This shook Alton’s confidence and their game plan fell apart, giving A&F space and time to run with the ball. Victoria Storey made a solo break and went round the keeper to put her side in front.

Alton rallied and gained several short corners without reward. Aldershot then turned solid defence into attack and left most of the Alton players trailing before Nankivell drove into the D and smashed the ball into the top corner for her second goal.

The visitors had the momentum and Alton struggled to get back into the game.

A deft flick by Katrina Hellier gave her a goal on her birthday and ensured victory for A&F.

With ten minutes to go, Alton found their feet again and ended the game on a high note when Jenny Rust, collecting the ball on halfway, dribbled past several opponents and struck the ball past Katherine Carr, A&F’s outstanding keeper, to make it 4-2.