Laverstock & Ford 1 - 3 Alton Town

This Saturday saw the opening fixtures of the FA Cup, Alton Town travelled to Laverstock & Ford for a tuff tie as Laverstock & Ford are under new management and have a much improved side from last year.

Alton had to make several changes to last Saturday league game as we where missing two key central defenders from our line up which meant that we asked Rich McCann who is our striker to play at the back for this afternoon game.

The game started fast with neither team being able to take full control with chances at either end, then on 10 Minutes a scramble in the laverstock penalty area saw Simba get a head on the ball which hit the post and appeared to be cleared by the Laverstock defence only to see the linesmen on the far side raise his flag and tell the referee that the ball had crossed the line which the referee gave Alton Town their first goal of the game. From their on Alton had most of the ball however Laverstock created many chances but could not take them. Mid way through the first half Matt Rayner broke through from midfield and struck a right foot shot along the ground which saw it rifle pass the Laverstock keeper which put us 2- 0 up. Just towards the end of the first half Laverstock had a great chance to pull one back with a cross from the right and a great header from the Laverstoke striker only to see Dan Hill save one handed on the line to prevent Laverstock opening their account to the afternoon. At half time Alton went in 2 - 0 up.

In the second half of the game both teams piled pressure on with laverstock for the first 10 minutes of the second half looking like they may pull a goal back and pushing more men forward but no goal was to come only offering Alton every chance to increase their lead with counter attacks from Corbett & Simba. Then with 30 Minutes to go a pass over the top of the Laverstock defence found Corbett racing through on goal who calmly slotted the ball home to put Alton town 3 - 0 up and heading towards the next round of the FA Cup. Again Corbett was presented with another one on one with the keeper which this time saw Corbett strike for goal only to see the ball fly over the cross bar which was only going to trouble the cars in the car park. With 2 Minutes to go Laverstock scored a consolation goal to bring the score back to 3 - 1 but the game had ended and Alton town comfortable go through to the next round of the FA Cup for another away fixture to higher league opposition Yate Town.

Performance of the game must go to Rich McCann who never looked out of place in the centre of defence and combined well with Clive Hibbert to keep a solid feel to the back line.

Alton now play Yate Town away in the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup Sponsored by E.ON. on 29th August 2009.