ALTON TN 5, ANDOVER NS 1

ALTON Town ran riot on their new 3G pitch on Tuesday night, scoring five times in the first half-hour to blow away the challenge of Andover New Street.

It puts Alton up to sixth in the Sydenhams League Division One table, some distance behind the promotion places but well placed to secure a top-five finish.

Street’s somewhat statuesque defenders were all at sea against the Brewers’ high-speed attack and conceded twice in the first five minutes.

Chris Adkins put Alton ahead with a free header from a corner, while Ashley Peck stroked home the second after a flowing move.

The home side looked razor-sharp in the first 30 minutes, using the slick artificial surface to great advantage.

Manager Michael Charles had the mobile, lightning-fast Luke Perkins playing behind the skilful Danny Turner up front, and with Richie Hunter and Peck raiding down the flanks, the visitors were ripe for the slaughter.

It was almost too easy as Alton scored three similar goals in rapid succession. Perkins, Turner and Hunter, in turn, almost walked the ball into the net as fluent attacks sliced open the Andover defence.

Street did then pull one back, but with Alton leading 5-1 at half-time, the game was as good as over.

A crowd of 150 had enjoyed that electric first half-hour, but, inevitably, the pace dropped in the second half and as Alton took their foot off the gas, Andover came more into the game.

They hit the top of the crossbar twice and forced one outstanding save from Mo Nyamunga.

Alton should have had a sixth goal, but substitute Simon Greeves was offside when he put the final touch to an angled shot from Perkins.

The Brewers are unbeaten at their new Anstey Park home, scoring nine goals in two games. But it’s rather different on the road – they lost 3-1 at Hythe before Christmas – and Alton might have to choose a different tactical path when they travel to Ringwood this Saturday.

Alton Tn: Nyamunga, Taylor, Adkins, Graham, Fox, Millington-Lee, Phillips, Hunter, Peck, Perkins, Turner. Subs (used): Allaway, Clarke, Greeves.