HENGROVE ATH 4, ALTON 2

(after extra time)

ALTON gave a good account of themselves after their long journey to Bristol in the FA Vase and were somewhat unlucky to bow out to Western Premier League side Hengrove Athletic after extra time.

The Brewers kicked off with Storm Brian blowing straight into their faces, but they weathered the storm and the tie remained goalless at the break.

Hengrove had most of the chances and went closest when Lewis Dunn hit the post on the follow-up after Matt Petts had saved with his feet.

Joe Clarke shot over the bar as Alton came to terms with the wind. Danny Knee was causing problems with his pace and when he won a free-kick, Joe Clarke’s shot was tipped over the bar by Carl Bush. Chris Adkins headed back from the resulting corner, but Sean Hayes was unable to keep his shot down.

Hengrove finished the half on top and Adkins had to be alert to clear as Billy Vaughan threatened.

In the second half, Alton hoped to take advantage of the wind, but Petts was quickly called into action to save from Jack Fillingham.

With referee Dan Cobbett trying to play advantage, the game became a real scrap. Clarke got back to foil Vaughan when he looked certain to score and, soon after, Hengrove did break the deadlock – albeit in controversial fashion. Luke Crewe’s shot found the corner of the net as the linesman flagged for offside against another player who had run across Petts’ sight line, but the referee decided otherwise and the goal stood.

As an incensed Alton roared back into the attack, Knee was again brought down and this time got up to curl the free-kick past Bush for the equaliser.

The Wessex Leaguers were getting on top and deservedly took the lead when George Callard broke down the right and fired in a cross that was headed back across goal by Knee for Scott Sanderson to apply the finishing touch.

With just three minutes to go, Hengrove threw caution to the wind and saved themselves with a goal deep into added time, Joe Brimble shooting home through a ruck of players.

Alton should have regained the lead immediately after the start of extra time, Sanderson screwing his shot wide in front of goal. Instead, Hengrove went ahead from the goal-kick, Craig Parsons being allowed time and space to slot past Petts.

The Alton keeper saved well from Ben Crewe before the referee awarded Hengrove a very soft penalty and Fillingham got up to give Petts no chance from the spot and put the game out of reach.

The Brewers gave everything in the second period and believed they should have had a penalty of their own when Callum Burch seemed to be unceremoniously dumped to the ground.

Alton, without a game this Saturday, will entertain Tadley Calleva in their next league fixture on Saturday, November 4

Alton: Petts, Colbourne, Graham, Copplestone, Williams, Adkins, Knee, Clarke, Burch, Hayes, Watts. Subs (all used): Thorpe, Callard, Sanderson.