Epsom Start With One Sided 1-0 Win - Alton Town vs. Epsom And Ewell

View from the stand.

After what felt like a very long break, it was back to spending my Saturdays travelling around visiting new grounds again. My first new ground of the season was Alton Town who were hosting Epsom and Ewell in the Combined Counties League Premier Division. Alton have had a turbulent time of things recently having being threatened with eviction from the Bass Sports Ground towards the end of last season and then being transferred in to the Combined Counties League from the Wessex League. It was good in a sense to read in the programme that the club are moving towards building a new ground but it will be sad to see the old one go. Epsom finished in the top five last season and were looking to push on this season.

Kick off of the new season!

Epsom have a early chance to score the first goal of the new season when the forward is left unmarked at the back post but his diving header fails to find the target. They come close again soon afterwards but the half volley from the edge of the area again misses the target. Alton then have their chance when the Alton forward sells the defender with a good turn but his effort is straight at the keeper. Then they have an even better chance when the forward is played in but he is denied by a goal saving tackle from the Epsom full back. Epsom then take control for the rest of the half. The Alton keeper makes a good save from a volley from just inside in the box and they hit the post with a free kick but the game is goalless at half time.

An Epsom corner in the first half.

Epsom continue where they left off in the second half and are denied by a great block by an Alton defender and they hit the woodwork again with a half volley at the back post. They finally take the lead through a well struck effort when a corner isn't fully cleared. They almost double their lead but the forward puts the ball well over the bar after a good move. Alton then almost equalise but the keeper makes a good save with his legs. He is called in to action after shortly afterwards and makes another great save. Epsom hit the woodwork for a third time when a scuffed effort hits the post but he really should have scored. Epsom see out the rest of the game to claim an opening day victory.

Side on view of the stand.

Trains to Alton depart from Waterloo and the journey takes an hour and a quarter. Alton is similar to Petersfield in being a pleasant Hampshire market town and it worth going away from the ground to look at the town centre. In the town centre is The Wheatsheaf which is fairly basic but has sky sports and a couple of big screens. A short walk away is The Eight Bells which couldn't be any more different and had several ales on tap. The ground is a short ten minute walk away from the station. As you expect from a town with a brewing tradition, the clubhouse is very well stocked and had a good selection of bottled beer. 

Alton produced an impressive full colour, glossy programme with a good history of both sides. I expect as the season goes they'll have more match reports, etc included but it was still a great effort.

Match action with the pavilion style dressing rooms in the background.