AFC STONEHAM 5, ALTON 3

ALTON manager Clive Ventham asked for a response to last week’s defeat and he got that with much improved effort and commitment.

Alas, it was only for about 70 minutes as Alton somehow managed to turn a 2-0 lead into a 5-3 defeat in their Sydenhams League Division One match at AFC Stoneham.

The Brewers began brightly and in less than five minutes Sean Hayes gave them the lead when he picked up a pass from Adam Westwood and shot home from 30 yards, giving the keeper no chance.

It was difficult for both sides on a boggy pitch, but then Matt Jackson raced through the Stoneham defence to double Alton’s lead.

At that stage, Alton looked like they could score at will, but suddenly, against the run of play, Stoneham pulled one back as Ashley Ledger found himself in acres of space and calmly beat Matt Petts.

The goal gave Stoneham hope and the game opened up. Regan Hitch had a shot cleared off the line, while Petts had to be alert to deny the home side an equaliser before the interval.

On the restart, Alton threatened to put the game to bed. Hitch saw his free-kick tipped over the bar and Jackson failed to convert an excellent cross from debutant Elliot Tricker.

Matt Palmer then headed Stoneham level from a corner, only for Jackson to make amends for his miss by getting on the end of Tricker’s knock-down to restore Alton’s lead.

Alton were enjoying a period of dominance, but the game changed when Hitch gave away a silly free-kick and substitute Byron Gharibian’s free header levelled things up at 3-3.

The Brewers lost their way with wayward passes and missed tackles. Olly Fraser ran unchallenged through the middle of Alton’s defence before sliding the ball under Petts. And with five minutes left, Alton’s fate was sealed when Phil Moore gave away a penalty and Palmer converted to clinch the points.

Clive Ventham said: “We played well for most of the game and should have been out of sight by the time Stoneham got their first goal. We need to be more clinical in front of goal.

“When one of the officials comes up to you after the game and asks ‘how did you lose that?’ you know something has gone badly wrong.”

Alton now have a week off before they entertain US Portsmouth on Saturday, March 18.