ADSFL Division Two Sunday 7 September 2008

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	Aldershot Wanderers	1
	ROSTON
	FC Alton	7
	M. PHILLIPS (2), GRANT (3), N. PINK, HOPE

FC Alton got their league campaign off to a perfect start by equalling their biggest ever win.

Two goals by Phillips and one by Grant gave FCA a half time lead before Neil Pink, Hope and Grant notched in the second.

Aldershot Wanderers came into the game with ten minutes left and Roston scored after a great solo run but Grant snatched his hat trick with an immediate response.

Shane, Pullers and Craig were unavailable so despite his better judgement, Jamie started, with James Murrell and Dan Gullon on the bench.

On a very decent playing surface, both teams settled well. It was clear from the early exchanges why AWFC won Division Three last year as they looked happy to move the ball from side to side and release their strikers with balls down the channel.

However, FCA did well to keep them at arms length and as the game became more expansive, grabbed the lead with the first real chance of the match.

Tom Murrell drifted in field with the ball at his feet before hitting a cross field pass into the path of Neil Pink. Pink who has recently returned from his travels showed us what we could have been missing with a slide rule cross which Mack buried in the top left corner. It was a clinical finish from the man making his competitive debut for the club.

It almost didn't count for much as minutes later, Aldershot had an equaliser ruled out for offside. After finding some space down the left hand side, the winger delivered the cross which was duly met by their strikers head. It looped over Brock but the celebrations were short lived as the flag was raised on the near side.

As Wanderers sought to get a foot hold in the game, FCA extended their lead with a real sucker punch. Brock delivered a free kick from inside his own half which carried just over their defence. Mack raced onto it and from an angle hit a ferocious drive into the top right hand corner. It was route one but it was worth it for the finish!

El Capitan (who had been struggling with injury from the start) was then replaced by James Murrell and the team did well to cope with the change in personnel.

Our strength in shape came from Lee, Colesy and Karlos tracking back. This was evident by one such opportunity which led to nothing as Karl chased the play on the edge of our area, with the final ball placed through to no-one.

At the other end, Lee G started to come into the game. He did well to intercept a cross field pass but couldn't get the ball out of his feet quickly enough to release Neil P who had run past the full back.

FCA grabbed a third before half time with a slick counter attack. It had looked like Aldershot were in a position to get in a shot themselves but Neil Pink came back with an excellent challenge and received the ball back from Pete. From inside his own half, he then went on a marauding run down the right had side which took him past both midfield and full back. Another side footed cross was tucked away by Lee Grant who opened his account for the season.

With his confidence flowing, Lee almost grabbed another when his bit of skill took him into the area but the keeper saved well to his left hand side.

Things almost got better when after an eight pass move; Lee G floated an excellent cross ally the way to Mack who's first touch brought the ball under control but his volley whistled just past the left hand uprigh

FCA started the second half in the way they finished the first and as Mack pressured their keeper into a mistake, almost chipped into an empty net; his effort just drifted wide.

Aldershot responded though and after Brock's clearance was well blocked by their striker, we were fortunate to have Toby in the right place to hook the rebound to safety.

Karlos who had been influencing the game higher up than he is perhaps used to played a part in the fourth goal. He played a 1-2 with Colesy and as the ball was running to the touchline, performed an excellent slide tackle to win it back. Although Mack then had his shot blocked, Neil Pink was on hand to coolly slot home after committing both the defender and keeper.

With the score at four, AWFC then had a guilt edge chance to pull one back. A muddled clearance from the defence saw the ball played through to their striker, but under pressure from Toby, drove his shot over the bar.

Aldershot were looking to release their strikers early at every opportunity and Brock was out quick to smother one chance at the players feet. He was then strong in the air, punching clear an inviting cross. He pulled off another solid stop after a header looked to be creeping in but he was quick to change direction and tip the ball round the post.

FCA could have had another goal but instead had their own ruled out for offside after Lee Pink flicked the ball in for Mack to finish with a volley. It was a shame for Mack not to complete his hat trick but it was the correct decision nonetheless.

AWFC continued to keep us honest though and after a poor clearance, their striker did well to turn a fire in shot which rolled wide of the left hand post.

FC Alton ended the contest though with two simple finishes. The first fell to Karlos who after Mack's free kick was tipped onto the bar, was first to react and with no-one around him, lashed in from three yards. Lee Grant then grabbed his second after receiving the ball from their defenders poor pass and hitting the ball first time over the stranded keeper.

Despite being six goals down though, Aldershot continued to press and for ten minutes had us totally on the back foot. After several long range shots and a close header from a corner, they got the goal their pressure deserved.

Their defender ran with the ball from deep and after playing a 1-2 with their striker on the halfway line, was clean through. It looked like James and Brock had done enough in pushing him wide, but their player did well to keep his feet and tucked it in off the near post from a very tight angle.

There was justifiable disappointment to concede but our response was immediate. A back heel from Mack inside the area left Lee G with a simple finish as he became only the fourth player in FCA history to score a hat-trick and the first person to do it twice!

The goal also meant we equalled our biggest winning margin having beaten ATFC Supporters Club and Cody FC by the same score line in 2007.

The victory was the perfect start to the season and a great confidence boost for the 'big one' against York Road next week. Mack will be relieved to continue the tradition of an FCA victory on a player's debut; so the only thing left to decide is who can we sign on for next week?!

See you then!