FOLLAND SPORTS 3, ALTON FC 1

INCONSISTENCY and a lack of commitment from some players came home to roost as Alton crashed to defeat at bottom side Folland Sports on Saturday.

There were five changes to the side that had crushed Fawley 7-1 in midweek, but Alton still made the brighter start.

John Hassell’s through-ball just bobbled away from Matt Jackson and Callum Burch, who had already shot over the top, skipped round keeper Ellis Grant after being sent clear by Kieron Robinson, but ran out of pitch and the chance was gone.

Max Paddon also went close before the Brewers deservedly took the lead. Ben Williams, up for a corner-kick, was fouled inside the area and Jack Chandler sent Grant the wrong way from the spot.

Instead of spurring Alton on, the goal seemed to wake Folland up and the influential Sanchez McLean forced a number of saves from Matt Petts, including a brave boot-level stop.

An equaliser seemed inevitable and it came when Alton only half-cleared a corner and Anthony Joseph rifled the ball home from the edge of the box.

The turning-point in the match followed just before half-time as Robinson was sent off after an off-the-ball incident. The referee only saw half of what went on, however, despite having his attention drawn to it by his assistants.

Things went rapidly downhill for Alton in the second half. McLean got past Petts and in trying to clear the danger, Williams scooped the ball off the line with his hand and joined Robinson in an early shower.

McLean dispatched the penalty to put the home side in front. Within minutes, while Alton were still trying to regroup, McLean scored his second goal and Folland’s third with a mis-hit shot that trickled into the corner of the net.

With Folland sensing a much-needed victory, McLean was again foiled by Petts and Jason Grenham made a timely block.

Danny Knee, unable to make an impact, finally got a shot on target and then Mark Taylor headed over in the last action of the game.

The result summed up Alton’s season as, with too many players unavailable, they failed to beat a side from the lower reaches of the Division One table.

The Brewers will have to dust themselves down and focus on their final two Sydenhams League Division One fixtures, starting with Romsey Town at The Enclosure this Saturday and finishing with United Services away on Saturday, April 21.

Alton: Petts, Grenham, Hassell, Robinson, Williams, Taylor, Knee Chandler, Burch, Paddon, Jackson. Subs: Allaway, Corbett (both used).