TADLEY CALLEVA 6, ALTON FC 1

ALTON crashed to a heavy defeat against Tadley Calleva whose clinical finishing showed why they are near the top of the Sydenhams League Division?One and one of the favourites for promotion.

Despite the one-sided scoreline, the first half was an even affair, although Tadley had the better chances. Brett Denham and Paul Coventry both went close before the Brewers almost scored from their first opening, Max Paddon’s shot coming back off the post.

Alton keeper Lewis Boughton saved well from Alex Charlick, but again the visitors countered dangerously and Danny Knee’s raid down the wing caused Andy Charsley to clear over his own crossbar.

Soon after, Alton took the lead. Mark Corbett was brought down after combining with Ollie Copplestone and Taylor Watts gave Chris Harris no chance from the spot to notch his tenth goal of the season.

This setback spurred Tadley on and the Alton goal led a charmed life as shots were blocked, flew wide or were saved by Boughton. Inevitably, though, Tadley equalised when Brett Denham shot home after a through-ball from former Alton player Tom Walsh.

And Tadley took the lead ­just before the break, albeit with a fortuitous goal. Ben Williams put in a fine block tackle on the edge of the area, but the ball ballooned to Denham who, looking suspiciously offside, shot home.

Keen to increase the pressure on the top two, Calleva went for the jugular in the second half, but Alton were defending well, with Matt Graham and Williams setting the example. However, Alton found the ball coming straight back at them and Denham eventually found space to score again.

Knee and Corbett had shots charged down during a spell of Alton pressure, but two quick goals sealed the result. Coventry lobbed Boughton for Tadley’s fourth and, almost immediately, Denham scored his fourth of the match.

Substitute Daryll Phillips completed the scoring in the last minute.

Tadley rise to second in the table, while Alton know they have much work to do if their season is not to fall away. Alton visit fellow mid-table side Downton this Saturday.

Alton: Boughton, Cass, Graham, Copplestone, Williams, Adkins, Knee, Clarke, Corbett, Paddon, Watts. Subs (all used): Allaway, Dumitrache, Petts.

• Rob Dumitrache, Kieron Bugeja-Robinson and Danny Knee scored the goals for Alton Reserves in an entertaining 3-3 draw with Alresford on Tuesday.