TOTTON & ELING 4, ALTON FC 0

ALTON’S fine run of form in the Sydenhams League Division One came to an abrupt end at Totton & Eling on Saturday.

The Brewers conceded two sloppy goals early on and their cause was not helped when Reece Colbourne was sent off after an off-the-ball incident.

George Callard went close as the visitors began brightly, but Totton’s long-ball tactics were to prove more effective than Alton’s passing game.

It was against the run of play that Totton took the lead. John Cass was caught out as Luca Cordeddu flicked on a long clearance and Luke Shergold gave Lewis Boughton no chance in the Alton goal.

Soon after, the Brewers lost the ball in midfield and Cordeddu lobbed Boughton who was caught in no-man’s land.

This double setback spurred Alton into life and Taylor Watts shot wide after a fine through-ball from Joe Clarke. But Colbourne’s dismissal gave Totton more room for manoeuvre and Boughton saved well as the ball skidded off the wet surface.

Player-manager Mark Corbett brought himself on for the second half and a formation change seemed to give Alton the edge as Totton sat back on their lead. Corbett set up Callard whose 25-yard shot crashed against the crossbar.

But Totton got men behind the ball and clear chances were at a minimum. One of the best fell to Max Paddon who was denied by keeper Mitch Stedman in a one-on-one.

With seven minutes left, Alton failed to clear their lines and Rian Drake put the game to bed with Totton’s third goal.

And it was rubbing salt into the wounds when Callum Kitcher shot into the top corner for the fourth.

Alton now have time to regroup, their next game being on January 6 when they travel to table-toppers Tadley Calleva.

Alton: Boughton, Cass, Adkins, Copplestone, Williams, Colbourne, Knee, Clarke, Paddon, Callard, Watts. Subs (used): Corbett, Hassell.