League

Hereford
Spectators: 7520 (Terracing: 5641, Seating: 1729, VIP seats: 150) John Paul Higgins made the kick off and thus started the match. Calum Notley recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 3rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. An unexpectedly hard shot by Grant Blackwell in the 7th minute of play forced Hereford's goalkeeper Scott Todd to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Alton's Henry Simpson got a good chance for a goal in the 10th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. In the 13th minute Henry Simpson shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Scott Todd saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. In the 18th minute, Calum Notley got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. Calum Notley recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 24th minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. Alton's Brendon Prior played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by John Paul Higgins in the 31st minute of play. John Paul Higgins sent away a hard shot on goal in the 33rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 36th minute of the game. One of Hereford:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Alton:s goal. The referee gave Alton a penalty, 37 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Sidney Macken, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Hereford's Scott Todd. 0-1. Calum Notley fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 43rd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Brendon Prior having to interfere. Alton's Brendon Prior played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by John Paul Higgins in the 45th minute of play. In the 48th minute of the match Clive Sutton shot from a long distance. The ball could have gone into the goal to the right of the goalkeeper, but Brendon Prior showed his good shape when he easily got hold of the ball. After the first half Alton were leading 0-1. They had played with great self confidence throughout the first half and fully deserved their lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Henry Simpson stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. A collision led to Hereford getting a freekick after 54 minutes play. Laurence Corrigan hit a great ball. 57 minutes into the match, Alton's goal looked a bit too open when Calum Notley came free, but Brendon Prior reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 59th minute Calum Notley shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brendon Prior saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. 62 minutes into the game, Henry Simpson recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Scott Todd. Henry Simpson showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 0-2. In the 65th minute Calum Notley shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brendon Prior saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. The supporters of Alton booed when Hereford was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 66 match minutes in a wonderful position. Graeme Barron didn't get a good kick on the ball. John Paul Higgins sent away a hard shot on goal in the 71st minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. After 72 minutes, Bart Bridgeman mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Alton and the Hereford players grew even worse after the yellow card. After a rather tough play, Alton's Bart Bridgeman got a free kick in the 72nd minute. Ben Moss's late challenge caught a Hereford's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Ben Moss helped the player get up and apologised. Ben Moss kicked well hit freekick during the 74th minute of the match. Grant Blackwell's shot when he came free in front of the goal in the 79thth minute, Scott Todd skillfully showed off with a save to what seemed to be an obvious goal. Henry Simpson sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. Grant Blackwell could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 84th minute of the match, but Scott Todd made a huge save. If Calum Notley had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 85th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In the 90th minute John Paul Higgins shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Brendon Prior saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Calum Notley blasted a shot towards the goal in the 91st minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Brendon Prior having to make a save. After some careless play in the Alton defense, John Paul Higgins kicked a shot that curved into the net to the right of Brendon Prior. The Alton fans voiced their displeasure as they felt that Brendon Prior should have stopped the shot. When Hereford's John Paul Higgins in the 98th minute got a chance for a shot 98th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Alton's goalie prevented a goal. The Hereford supporters were disappointed that their team didn't take anything from the match, despite matching Alton's performance. The match ended with a win for Alton.