ALTON TN 1, TADLEY CALLEVA 2 (Sydenhams League: Div I)

TADLEY Calleva scored a last-minute winner to end Alton Town’s 100 per cent record on the new 3G pitch at Anstey Park.

Tadley, eighth in the table, but with several games in hand, proved strong opponents and were praised by Alton manager Michael Charles. “They would be up there if it wasn’t for their backlog. They are a very good side, with some fine footballers amongst the team.”

Both teams played some decent football in the first half as they pressed for a breakthrough. Tadley had the edge, but it remained goalless at the interval.

Alton raised their game in the second half and took the lead through Ben Choularton who was outstanding throughout the game.

Tadley responded with a sustained period of pressure and deservedly equalised with a goal from James Tennant.

The Brewers had their chances to put the game to bed and if Luke Perkins had been wearing his shooting boots, it could have been a different scoreline, although Tom Hindmarsh deserved credit for some fine saves in the Tadley goal.

Alton paid for those missed opportunities when substitute Josh Drew won the game for Calleva in the dying moments.

Alton: Nyamunga, Phillips, Wright, Shuttleworth, Choularton (Adkins), Hayes, Clarke, Hunter, Perkins, Peck (Thorn), Gray (Bunney).

l Alton Town bounced back with a rare away victory – only their second of the season – on Tuesday night. Goals from Jon Gray and Luke Perkins earned Alton a 2-0 win in a re-arranged fixture at Ringwood Town.

l The wet weather played havoc with the football schedule last weekend, as it has done ever since Christmas.

The Hampshire Senior Cup tie between Totton & Eling and Horndean had been postponed no less than eight times and, in desperation, the Hants FA requested that it be played at Alton’s Enclosure on Tuesday.

The 3G pitch was unaffected by the weather, of course, and the game went ahead, with Horndean winning 5-3.