Alton Town 4, British Army U23 3

ALTON progressed to the quarter-finals of the Aldershot Senior Cup on Tuesday – but not before a huge fright.

The Brewers lost a three-goal half-time lead before grabbing the winner two minutes from time.

It all started so brightly for Alton as their free-flowing football opened up the Army defence.

A clinical finish by George Bowerman gave Alton a deserved lead, and better was to come for Alton as two goals from Scott Sanderson – the first a sublime header – gave Alton a big lead at the break.

But if Alton thought the second half was going to be a stroll, they were sadly mistaken as the Army team upped the ante and pulled a goal back when Hicking shot home to reduce the deficit.

Worse was to follow for the Brewers as a cross by Jones was headed home by Donnachie, who looked to be a shade offside.

With Alton caught out it was the Army side that were in the ascendancy, and it came as no surprise when an overhead kick by Donnachie found the roof of the net for the equaliser.

And the Army side thought they had taken the lead shortly after, only to be denied by the offside flag.

Relieved by the let off, Alton finally got back into the game and, after a foul, Matt Benham stepped up and his free kick beat everyone and nestled in the corner for not only the winning goal but his first goal for Alton.

So after a hard fought victory it is Alton that progress to play Ash United away in the quarter-finals.

Last Saturday, Alton travelled to New Milton in Division One of the Sydenhams Wessex League and in a game dominated by two fine defences came away with a point in a game that produced no goals and no real clearcut chances.

This was the first goalless game Alton have been involved in since August 2017.

Brewers manager Kevin Adair made two changes with Jamie Phillips and Stuart Green returning to the starting line up.

Alton started well but were unable to get any real rhythm as New Milton defended well and blunted out the Alton attacks.

Not to be outdone, the Alton defence protected Justin Courtnage’s goal just as well, not really allowing the New Milton forwards too many sights of goal.

With this draw Alton drop to fifth in the table, but with only four points separating the top five will be hopeful of returning to winning ways next Saturday when they travel to face bottom-of-the-table Folland Sports (kick-off 3pm). And next Tuesday, the Brewers host Wessex Premier Division Fareham in the quarter-finals of the Russell-Cotes Cup at The Enclosure (kick-off 7.45pm).

Alton Town: Courtnage, Phillips, M Graham, O Graham, Moore, Evans, Black, Benham, Green, Bowerman, Perkins. Subs: Rolfe, Knight, Day.