Alton manager Kevin Adair praised his side’s mentality after they beat AFC Croydon Athletic 2-0 at Anstey Park in the Combined Counties Premier Division South.
The Brewers overcame a physical Croydon side to continue their good form and pick up their fourth victory in their past five league games.
Matt Graham gave the home side the lead in the 43rd minute when he confidently smashed home his penalty after a Croydon player was penalised for handball.
And Adair was delighted that his young side were able to stand up to the physical test offered by their opponents.
“It typifies what we’ve had to get used to this season in this league – physical, direct sides,” he said. “We’ve been able to get better at dealing with it.
“We were good value to be 2-0 up at half-time. In the second half they were better than us, but I think that was them coming at us and us looking to defend a two-goal lead – and we did exactly that. We were disciplined and did everything we needed to get three points.
“I think we could have been a little bit better with the ball in the centre of the park, but when the game’s a bit scrappy you do rush things a little bit.
“Archie Larkham started the game and he’s 16, George Winkworth came on and he’s 16, and Evan Anderson came on and he’s 16 as well.
“It’s really good that the young players are able to manage games – that was a difficult game to come out of with three points.”
Adair was also pleased his side were able to secure a clean sheet.
“We don’t get many clean sheets,” he said. “I don’t know many teams who aren’t in the top four or five who get them in this league because it is competitive, physical and direct. A lot of chances and goals we’ve conceded have come from set pieces.”
Adair admitted scoring just before half-time was pivotal in securing the victory.
“We scored two just before half-time, and they’re key moments,” he said.
“We’ve always said we have to control the key moments. We did that.
“I’m still wondering why their player didn’t get any additional punishment for the penalty. He’s fallen over and deliberately stopped the ball with his hand to prevent a clear goalscoring opportunity. But we got the penalty, and the second one is a half chance.
“We’ve built something. It’s taken a long time to build it – now I’ve got to do my best to keep it together.”
Last Saturday (April 15) was Alton’s final home game of the season, with trips to Knaphill and AFC Croydon Athletic in the league and Badshot Lea in the Aldershot Senior Cup to come, and Adair was delighted to finish on a winning note at home.
“I said to the lads we wanted to finish on a high at home,” he said. “Since the turn of the year I’ve been pleased – we’ve performed as a team.”
Adair revealed last week he had heard rumours that Alton may be moved to the Wessex League this summer. The Brewers were only moved to the Combined Counties last summer, and Adair says that had a big impact on the club.
“We had to rebuild because of the league move last summer, and we didn’t get a win in the first five games,” he said.
“That tells you what we had to go through. It wasn’t ideal, but we dealt with it. We deemed it a bit unfair to be put on us so late, but we got on with it.
“We still haven’t been officially informed about another potential move. I’m hoping we haven’t been informed because it’s not happening, but the people who are making the comments are the same people who got it right last year.
“We’ve got a list of targets we want to start talking to, but I don’t know what I’m telling them. If they move us, whatever finances we have would be going on expenses if we’re going to keep the same group together. We’d also have to reset pre-season. It’s not right – but it’s out of my control.”