ALTON 3, HAMBLE 0

ALTON Ladies beat off a strong challenge from close rivals Hamble to strengthen their grip on second place in the Hampshire Division Two table.

Hamble came flying out of the blocks and won a series of short corners, all dealt with effectively by a strong and experienced Alton back line.

After ten minutes of being under constant bombardment, Alton found their shape and attacking legs and pushed into the opposing half.

They took the lead against the run of play when Louise Yeadon came out of defence to fire the ball across field to the top of the D where Gayle Moir was waiting to shoot low into the bottom left corner.

Energised by the unfamiliar elation of scoring first, Alton showed some silky skills and accurate passing.

A flurry of short corners resulted, one producing the second goal as Jenny Rust calmly dispatched a rebound off the keeper.

Trailing 2-0, Hamble again forced Alton to defend at the start of the second half. But the home side were quick to turn the ball over and counter- attack.

Using the flanks to good effect, Alton scored the killer third goal after a move down the right. Rust entered the circle and hit the ball cleanly to unmarked youngster Ariana Hawkins who tapped in at the far post.

Hamble persevered and won a number of short corners, but again Alton’s defence was impressive.

The visitors were finally awarded a penalty, but stand-in keeper Steph Millington worked her mind magic and the flick went wide to preserve Alton’s clean sheet.