Andover Town 0, Alton Town 2

ALTON put the horror of last Tuesday’s Russell Cotes Cup demolition behind them as they continued their fine league form against bottom side Andover – securing a second consecutive clean sheet in the league in the process.

Matt Bunyan, who scored after only 46 seconds last week, could have scored just as quickly on Saturday but his header from Liam Knight’s cross went just over the crossbar.

And Alton threatened again moments later when they broke away after clearing an Andover corner, but home goalkeeper McHardy was quick to race off his line to deny Gavin Muir.

At the other end, Pinnock had a shot saved by Boughton in the Alton goal before Alton took the lead. Taylor Watts controlled the ball on the halfway line before finding Muir whose cross found Bunyan in space on the edge of the box, and the striker had time to control and fire home left footed, despite the Andover keeper getting a hand to the ball.

Andover were playing better then their lowly league position suggested and Pinnock shot wide again, while George Spiers broke up an Andover attack, raced out of defence and set up Muir who shot wide. Bunyan then combined well with Steve Black but his shot sailed over the crossbar.

But the Brewers weren’t to be denied as Bunyan scored his second of the game to double Alton’s lead. A long ball from Boughton found Bunyan who controlled it before beating three players on the edge of the box to fire home for his 17th goal of the season and seemingly put Alton in control.

Ben Williams, on a rare sortie up the pitch, put in a telling cross which evaded everyone while Boughton had to be alert to tip a cross-shot over the bar, and with Andover coming more into the game Boughton was forced to save well twice more.

Muir was then unceremoniously fouled which earned Andover’s Smith a yellow card, and from the resulting free kick Bunyan forced McHardy to tip over and deny him his hat-trick as the visitors went into the break 2-0 up.

The second half was a pretty even affair as Alton looked to hold on to what they had while Andover still fancied getting something from the game.

But it was Alton who had the better of the early chances as, first, Black shot over and then Bunyan, who was forced wide when he had sprung the offside trap, was unable to find the target. And Bunyan had another chance to complete his hat-trick when Clarke’s far-post corner was headed back by Spiers, but again McHardy foiled the attempt.

Substitute Matt Jackson almost made a dramatic entry but McHardy saved while Brewers goalkeeper Boughton had to be alert to save from Emans and then Holmes shot wide when well placed.

Andover thought they had reduced the deficit from a corner but Knight cleared off the line with Boughton beaten. And Boughton saved his best for last as he went full length to turn a free kick round the post.

On Saturday, Alton are back at The Enclosure to face third-placed Hythe & Dibden in Division One of the Wessex League.