Second Half Blitz Does It For Blues - Amesbury Town vs. Alton Town

Gorgeous football weather in Wiltshire

It seemed that travelling west was the best way to avoid the forecast snow and so I travelled to Salisbury with two possible games in mind. I tweeted Amsesbury Town and Downton as I left the house with the view of going to the first one which let me know their game was definitely on and it was Amesbury who got back to me first. I had planned to visit Amesbury at least two other occasions this season but was beaten by the weather on the previous occasions. They were hosting mid table Alton Town who I had seen take apart Andover New Street at their new home over the Christmas period. The Brewers had also comprehensively beaten today's hosts 4-1 at the turn of the year. Amesbury are having a good season and will be in with a shout of promotion if ground gradings allows it. Their title hopes took a blow last weekend when they lost at leaders Portland United.

Elevated kick off view at Bonnymead Park

The match has quiet start as neither side creates any early chances. It is the Alton keeper who is called in to action first as he makes a good low save from a shot on the turn from the edge of the area. The home side then think they've scored from close range following a corner but the referee rules it out for an infringement in the six yard box. Alton's first effort on goal is a free kick which is straight at the Amesbury keeper. Another Amesbury corner causes confusion in the area as the Alton keeper loses but the shot is blocked by the defence. The Alton keeper then redeems himself when he makes a save after the Amesbury forward is played in via a lofted through ball.

The Alton attacker gathers the ball in the Amesbury box with the clubhouse in the background

Amesbury take the lead at the start of the second half when a contentious free kick from the half way line isn't fully cleared and the attacker takes advantage to lash the ball in to the opposite corner. The home side now have their tails up and the Alton keeper makes a great save when the forward finds himself in space after controlling a ball from deep. Alton's best chance of the game is a near post header from a corner which goes just wide. Amesbury double their lead when a quick throw catches Alton out and the forward powers home the second goal on the half volley. Amesbury are now rampant and they get a third with a powerful near post header from a corner. They complete the scoring as Alton give the ball away and they are punished when the ball is slotted in at the back post.

First half action in front of the stand

As I suggested earlier, the closest station to Amesbury is Salisbury which is reached by trains from Waterloo. If there aren't engineering works then the journey should take about an hour or so. From the main market place you take the number 8 bus right in to Amesbury. There is a lot of history around Amesbury with Stonehenge and Old Sarum within easy reach. Amesbury itself is a pleasant town with a good selection of pubs. The George is a good place to start as it had a decent selection of beers. Across the road is The New Inn which had five ales on hand pump including several from the Wiltshire Stonehenge Brewery and I can thoroughly recommend the Pigs Swill. Then on the way to the ground is The Kings Arms which had a couple of big TVs for the lunchtime kick off. Bonnymead Park is a quick five minute stroll from the town centre and the clubhouse had the usual selection of drinks and sold fantastic cake at half time. The programme is also one of the best I've seen in The Wessex League if not at this level as a whole.  

Brilliant setting for a Saturday afternoon