TOTTON & ELING 1, ALTON TN 3

ALTON Town proved something to themselves with this useful away win.

Earlier in the season, especially in the weeks after the opening of the 3G pitch at Anstey Park, the Brewers’ away form was hopeless in the Sydenhams League Division One.

But they showed they can ‘win ugly’ when the situation demands it and this was their fifth win on the road, to go alongside 11 victories at home.

“At the start of the season, we would have lost that game, being away on a bad pitch,” said manager Michael Charles. “It shows we’ve come a long way.”

Alton are currently seventh in the table and if they can win their final game, at home to Christchurch this Saturday, they could leapfrog their opponents into sixth.

Jonny Gray’s two first-half goals, both great finishes, put Alton in control against Totton & Eling.

Declan Shuttleworth, not to be outdone, scored arguably the goal of the season in the second half. From some 35 yards out, he struck an unstoppable half-volley into the corner of the net.

Ed Ditchburn replied for Totton, but the Brewers finished worthy winners.

Alton Tn: Nyamunga, Cherrett, Shuttleworth, Gill, Choularton, Graham, Hunter, Peck (Fox), Perkins, Greeves (Charles), Gray.