ALTON FC 3, TADLEY CALLEVA 2

ALTON came from behind to take all three points against Tadley Calleva, currently third in the Sydenhams League Division One.

The Brewers looked rusty after a week off and Connor Thorne could have given Tadley the lead in the first minute, but he headed wide from Brett Denham’s cross.

Both keepers were then kept busy. Joe Clarke tested Fred Gee in the Tadley goal and Matt Petts had to be alert to make a fine save from Paul Coventry.

Tadley, though, were having more of the possession and it was no surprise when they went ahead – albeit with a lucky own goal as Ben Williams’ header looped over a helpless Petts.

Worse was to follow as, with only 17 minutes gone, a free-kick was headed back across the home goal and Danny Vickers doubled Tadley’s lead.

However, Alton dug in and Petts made an important double save just before the break to keep the score at 2-0.

It was a fired-up Alton who came out for the second half. Wide players Callum Burch and Danny Knee became more influential and Scott Sanderson twice went close, while Gee just managed to tip a shot from George Callard over the bar.

Alton were finally rewarded when Burch, after some neat work, crossed to Sean Hayes who prodded home at the far post.

Alton’s midfield three of Clarke, Oli Copplestone and Hayes were much more dominant now. It was a Hayes through-ball that enabled Knee to hit a testing cross and Burch turned the ball in at the far post for the equaliser.

With Tadley becoming flustered and getting on each other’s backs, Alton’s comeback was complete when another cross from Knee found Burch who flicked on for Hayes to shoot goalwards. Gee parried the shot, but with Sanderson threatening, the defender only half-cleared and Hayes drove in the rebound to give Alton the lead.

Having conceded three goals in nine minutes, Tadley were then reduced to ten men when Copplestone was brought down and Coventry sent off.

The resulting free-kick should have brought the Brewers a fourth goal, but Knee got his attempted chip all wrong and the ball drifted wide.

Tadley made a treble substitution in a desperate bid to salvage a point, but Alton held on for a victory they merited for their excellent second-half display.

Alton play a re-arranged home fixture this Saturday. Due to floodlight issues at their ground, Downton visit The Enclosure.

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

• Alton bowed out of the Aldershot Senior Cup on Tuesday. Hosting Combined Counties Division One side Bagshot on the 3G pitch, the Brewers scored twice in the first half through Jody Thorpe and Mark Corbett. But it was 2-2 after 90 minutes and Bagshot came through 4-2 winners after extra time.