Alton Town 3, Laverstock & Ford 1ALTON continued their winning run with a battling victory over Laverstock & Ford on Saturday.

In truth, this was a closer game than the scoreline suggests, as it wasn’t until the 88th minute that Alton got the decisive third goal to put the game to bed.

With confidence high after four wins on the trot in all competitions, Alton started brightly.

Liam Knight and Luke Perkins combined early on but Knight’s cross was just too high.

With the pace and tenacity of both Knight and Perkins causing the Laverstock defence problems, they managed to set up Bowerman, but as he turned he was unable to keep his shot down and it went over the bar.

Justin Courtnage, in the Alton goal, had to be alert as Laverstcok’s Russell Jones threatened as the visitors enjoyed a period of possession. Oli Graham was forced to back track as Joe Rankins got down the right, but Graham blocked his cross.

Alton then forced a corner at the other end, but Laverstock goalkeeper Tom Roberts won a free kick after he was deemed to have been fouled.

Back came the visitors but Phil Moore and Matt Graham efectively dealt with another Laverstock attack before Courtnage collected a free kick.

Alton then forced three corners in quick succession, but from the third Roberts, in the Laverstock goal, collected the ball to ease the pressure.

Not for the first time, Knight got the better of his defender, but he shot wide when well placed.

Tommy Campbell-Smith tested Courtnage from distance but the Alton goalkeeper was equal to it and made a comfortable save.

After such a busy opening, the first goal finally came. Stuart Green was fouled and from the free kick Alton forced a corner. The corner was only half cleared and fell to Steve Black on the edge of the area who hit it first time into the bottom corner of the net to give the Brewers the lead.

Spurred on by the goal, Knight shot wide again before Laverstock’s Jones did the same while Green then had a cross-shot that the Laverstock keeper did well to tip over the bar as it was about to drop in at the far post.

Campbell-Smith and Chae Sykes combined well for Laverstock and Courtnage was forced to make a save, and from the resulting corner Sykes headed the equaliser, the first goal Alton had conceded in more than five hours of football.

Both sides had further chances before half time but the teams went in level.

The second half was played in the same vain as first Joe Rankins and Jones combined before good work between Knight and George Bowerman set up Perkins, but his shot hit the post and Laverstock were relieved to clear the rebound for a corner, which Oli Graham headed over.

Laverstock then had a penalty appeal rejected before quick thinking by Courtnage almost set Perkins away. He caught a corner but his long kick forward was just too much for Perkins, who would have been in on goal.

Courtnage then had to be alert to tip a header against his own crossbar, and then a few minutes later went full stretch to tip a shot round the post as Laverstock pressed for the second goal. From the corner, Rankins’ header came back off the bar, much to Alton’s relief.

At the other end, Graham headed a Matt Benham free kick wide while Bowerman collected the ball on the edge of the box and wriggled passed three defenders before Roberts made a smart save.

But Alton weren’t to be denied and regained the lead when Perkins got down the right wing and forced himself into the box. As he went past the defender he was tripped and Phil Moore made no mistake from the spot.

This second goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of Laverstock.

Brewers substitute Jack Bicknell sent in a cross that the Laverstock defender managed to slice for a corner before he then had a shot saved by the visiting goalkeeper.

Still Alton pressed for the decisive third goal. Moore’s header from a free kick was straight at the goalkeeper while Bicknell played a fine ball behind the Laverstock defence but Perkins was unable to control the ball.

Laverstock tried to muster a response and had a free kick that Courtnage collected before Alton finally made the game safe. Perkins chased a through ball, turned his defender and shot left-footed past Roberts to seal the three points.

Alton can be happy with their day’s work, as they worked hard for each other and ground out a result. On Saturday, the Brewers travel to Andover Town looking to stretch their winning run to six games.

Alton Town: Courtnage, Green, M Graham, O Graham, Moore, Evans, Black, Benham. Perkins, Bowerman, Knight. Subs: Bicknell, Duffy, Davis.