Two points dropped in Hants derby as we draw 2-2

We had to settle for a point away at Alton, after a string performance we surrendered a two-goal advantage late on in a dramatic encounter that marked the first match in charge for our new manager, Warren Burton.

We started the game with confidence and purpose, looking well organised and keen to make an early impression under our new leadership. That positive approach paid dividends after fifteen minutes when sustained pressure forced the hosts to concede a corner. The delivery was swung into the heart of the penalty area, where a crowded goalmouth saw the ball glance off several heads before dropping kindly to Liam Avery. Showing excellent awareness and determination, he rose to power a header beyond the Alton goalkeeper to give us a deserved early lead.

Alton attempted to respond, but we remained largely in control for much of the first half, moving the ball well and limiting them to speculative efforts. The home side’s best spell came late in the half, when they began to find pockets of space in midfield. On thirty-eight minutes, Matthew Benham slipped a neat pass into Joshua Millo, who then set up Alex Macallister. His first-time effort drifted narrowly wide. A minute later, Millo went close again from a free kick, but his effort failed to trouble our goal.

Despite those moments of pressure, we defended resolutely and went into the interval with a 1-0 advantage, having looked the more composed and dangerous side for much of the opening forty-five minutes.

We could not have asked for a better start to the second half. Just two minutes after the restart, a poor clearance from the Alton defence fell straight to Sean Swift on the edge of the area. He made no mistake, striking the ball cleanly into the net to double our lead and put us firmly in control of the contest.

At 2-0, we appeared comfortable, managing the game well and restricting Alton to limited opportunities. Time ticked away with little sign of a comeback from the hosts, and we looked set to begin Warren Burton’s tenure with a valuable away victory.

However, the momentum of the match shifted in the closing stages. With six minutes remaining, Alton were awarded a penalty following an incident in the box. Alex Macallister stepped up and calmly converted to reduce the deficit and give Alton renewed belief.

As the game entered added time, we still held a 2-1 lead, but further drama was to follow. In the second minute of stoppage time, Alton were awarded a free kick just outside the penalty area. Isaac Nash took responsibility and produced a precise,  fizzing daisy cutter that went inside the near post, drawing the hosts level and denying us all three points.

The final whistle confirmed a 2-2 draw, a frustrating end given how strong our performance had been, but one that still offered plenty of encouragement as we begin a new chapter under Warren Burton and Simon Payne.

Fleet Town starting XI

1 Sam Gray

2 Tom Drinkwater

4 Lewis Hillary

5 Joe Dyett

6 Liam Avery

8 Sean Swift

9 Charlie Postance

11 George Sellick

14 Eoin Fraser

19 Ollie Burke

20 TJ Taylor

Substitutes

7 Sam Bartlett (on for Sellick)

12 Brad Manning (on for Fraser)

16 Hadif Darwysh

17 Lewis Pearch (on for Burke)

18 George Butler