ALTON 3, BOURNEMOUTH III 1

AFTER disappointment on the road last week, Alton bounced back with three important points against fellow Hampshire 2 mid-table side Bournemouth III at Amery Hill.

It was a fast start by the home side as Pete Howland gave them the lead within five minutes.

Further chances fell to Sam Juncker and Tom Green as Alton pressed home their advantage, but Bournemouth put up a stubborn defence and only that one goal separated the sides at half-time.

On the restart, Alton again charged out of the blocks, with the midfield of Jason Smith, Harry Curtis and Richard Spicer working hard to support the wings and forwards who were a constant threat to the visitors.

It was not all one-way traffic, though, and Bournemouth launched several counter-attacks.

Alton defended well and as the game entered the last 10 minutes, the Yellows at last doubled their lead, Green claiming his first league goal of the season.

This took a weight off Alton’s shoulders and they soon increased their advantage to three, Curtis finishing off a smooth move to clinch the points.

To their credit, Bournemouth kept going and denied Alton a clean sheet with a consolation goal from a well-worked short-corner routine, the ball squeezing past skipper Nigel Downing on his post.

Alton are away to Salisbury II this Saturday.