NEW MILTON TOWN 0, ALTON 1

ALTON followed up their superb midweek victory at third-placed Laverstock & Ford with a hard-working performance and three more points at a very windy New Milton on Saturday.

In doing so, the Brewers kept a clean sheet for the first time in eight games in the Sydenhams League Division One.

New Milton, with the strong wind at their backs, started brightly and forced Matt Petts into an important early save.

The bumpy pitch did not help, but gradually Alton got into gear and Matt Clarke shot just wide after a quick Sean Hayes free-kick.

Alton were trying to get the ball out wide and from one of Callum Burch’s trademark runs and pull-backs, Matt Jackson forced Kieran Burgess to save well.

The ball was spending an awful lot of time in the air, though, and both midfields were being bypassed.

Micky Finch almost scored for Milton and Alton went even closer at the other end. Another Hayes free-kick was headed goalwards by Scott Sanderson and with keeper Burgess beaten, the ball just needed a touch, but a home defender got back to clear in the nick of time.

Petts tipped a shot from Kyle Leach over the bar as Milton ended the half on top.

Alton were forced into a change for the second half, with the injured Sanderson being replaced by Adam Westwood. Burch moved into a more central striking role and this would ultimately win the game for Alton.

The goal came on 51 minutes. Taylor Watts broke down the wing before finding Jackson whose inch-perfect cross allowed Burch to take a touch before firing past a helpless Burgess.

Watts shot wide and a Hayes cross just eluded the onrushing Burch as Alton sought to kill the game off.

Milton responded by throwing men forward and lumping the ball towards them, hoping to get knock-downs. But this was their undoing as they got in each other’s way and, in fact, their most influential forward, Steve Flynn, was forced further and further back.

Alton defended well. Centre-backs Phil Moore and Mark Taylor won nearly every header, and when they didn’t, one was sweeping behind the other.

The Brewers threatened on the break, with the wingers giving their markers a hard time, and substitute Regan Hitch shot over from a Westwood cross when it looked easier to score.

Right at the death, Alton had a scare when Rob Way cleared a free-kick over his own crossbar.

Alton have no game this Saturday.?Next up is a trip to champions-elect Hamble Club on Saturday, April 8.