ALTON 2,

HYTHE & DIBDEN 1

ALTON bounced back from last week’s defeat and proved they can win ugly and dig in when the need arises.

This was not one of the more open games seen at The Enclosure’s 3G pitch. With Hythe & Dibden’s uncompromising style and Alton’s inability to get the ball out wide, it was never going to be a classic.

Alton, back to almost full strength, started brightly and forced two early corners, while the defence handled Hythe’s tactics of hitting high balls towards their three-man attack, with Adam Aimable and Mark Taylor winning most of their headers.

Mitch Parker’s free-kick was cleared off the line after Callum Burch was brought down on the edge of the box. Alton were not to be denied, however, and when the ball bounced about in the visitors’ box, it was Burch who reacted quickest to block a clearance and the ball looped back over keeper Tom Hawkins into the net.

The lead didn’t last long, though. This time, Alton were caught napping by a high through-ball and Rian Drake gave Kallum Lunn no chance.

Alton came again and debutant Gavin Muir shot just wide following a flick by Scott Sanderson. Then Sanderson himself blasted goalwards from a Burch cross, only for Hawkins to save at pointblank range.

Hythe responded with an almost identical move to when they scored and Drake’s shot cleared Lunn, but also the crossbar.

The Brewers made slight positional changes for the second half and Hythe were under the cosh as Hawkins saved from Muir before making a double stop to deny first Sanderson and then Taylor Watts.

Muir was becoming more influential and it was his fine run that led to Parker restoring Alton’s lead with a shot from the edge of the area.

Instead of pushing on, Alton appeared to think the job was done and allowed Hythe back into the game. Lunn had to be alert to foil both Oli Dennett and Laptas Marcel.

This persuaded Clive Ventham to make a double change and substitutes Joe Green and Henry Fox gave Alton a boost of energy going forward. Green had two shots blocked and Parker put a free-kick over the bar as Alton pushed for the killer third goal.

“It was probably the worst we have played since I took over in October,” said manager Ventham. “But it was good to get the win when so many players had an off-day.”

Alton are home again this Saturday and will set their sights on three points against East Cowes Victoria who prop up The Sydenhams League Division?One.