NEW FOREST 5

ALTON 2

ALTON’S Hampshire 2 season got under way with a disappointing defeat against the New Forest.

After snatching the final promotion spot last season Alton were determined to prove they have what it takes to make it in Division Two, and the visitors began well.

Some great work from Alton’s wingers put New Forest under early pressure, with Felix Morrison showing fine skills down the left before setting up Stuart Gagen for some early shooting chances, only to be denied by the New Forest keeper.

Despite Alton having the bulk of the possession in the opening 20 minutes New Forest managed to draw first blood with a counter attack putting the home side ahead.

It was a nervous few minutes for Alton after the goal and the home side capitalised on the visitors’ nerves and got themselves a second goal just before half time after an unlucky deflection off Scott Reading’s stick.

Despite being down by two, Alton came out after the break still bent on getting themselves back in the game. Despite another dominant spell of possession by the visitors, it was New Forest who again found the back of the net after Alton failed to clear from a short corner. And yet another goal from the home side shortly after left Alton stunned and they were left looking at a hard last 15 minutes of play with a 4-0 gap to chase.

Some teams may have given up but Alton showed great spirit and refused to back down. Finally, after some good chances from Gagen and youngster James Goulding-Stewart, Alton found the net when Kevin Scowcroft pounced on a rebound to get Alton on the scoresheet.

Alton rallied and threw everything they had at the home side, but the experienced Division Two side kept them at bay and started to pin Alton back. After several successfully defended short corners and a fine diving save from goalkeeper Lawrence Jones, New Forest got their fifth goal when Alton failed to set quickly enough to defend a free hit.

Alton kept their spirits up in the final few minutes and yet again pushed forward to deny their opponents any rest and were rewarded when Cameron Lockie found himself well placed to score Alton’s second before the final whistle.

Despite the 5-2 result not being what Alton hoped for in their first fixture in Division Two they held their heads high after a strong performance, proving they can compete at their new level.