WIMBORNE II 3, ALTON 6

ALTON were in Dorset for the second week running and registered their first win of 2017 to remain firmly on course for the Hampshire 3 title.

Held to a draw last week at Poole, Alton wasted no time in taking the lead against Wimborne 2nd XI, albeit in unusual fashion. Skipper Nigel Downing fired in a shot which deflected off a defender’s foot and looped over the home keeper into the goal.

It then became a hard midfield battle, with some good play from both sides. Nick Bagley-Reed calmly scored at a short corner for Alton’s second and Jason Smith made it 3-0 just before half-time from open play.

The visitors seemed to have the game firmly in their grasp, but Wimborne had other ideas and after pulling one back, they shook Alton by reducing the deficit to one with a blistering shot past keeper Lawrence Jones.

Alton had some frantic moments after this goal, but the leaders steadied themselves and regained their grip.

Stuart Gagen restored the two-goal cushion after some neat work and James Wilson added the fifth goal with a timely deflection on a fast ball into the circle.

Harry Curtis directed a low shot past the diving keeper for the sixth and although Wimborne replied with their third, it came too late to make any difference.

Alton return to Amery Hill this Saturday for a match against City of Portsmouth II.