Following last night’s 1-1 here at the Rivermoor against Penn & Tylers Green. Johno’s side can breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing that they are still within a chance of winning the Allied Counties Youth Football League Central Division. The title race will now be settled in a dramatic Berkshire derby here at the Rivermoor on Tuesday 29th April as we host near-neighbours and local rivals Binfield.

That’s not the only silverware that Johno’s side are hunting this season and Monday night sees the City express steam on to Alton as we focus our attention back to our Allied Counties Youth Football League Subsidiary Cup campaign by taking on our North Hampshire counterparts.

This game was due to be played at home on Tuesday evening, but unfortunately due to a fixture clash with Woodley United it’s been switched to an away clash, meaning our youngsters will have played all four of their group stage fixtures on the road picking up wins in Surrey, Oxfordshire and Hampshire having already seen off Yateley who are based in the North-east of the county.

With the City Express preparing to roll in to a town renowned for it’s heritage railway we’ll be hoping to make that 13 games unbeaten in all competitions.

ABOUT THE OPPOSITION

The current Alton FC was formed by the merger of Alton Town FC and Alton United Youth FC in 2016.

Previously the senior section (Alton Town FC) was formed in 1990 when Alton’s two senior clubs, Alton Town and Bass Alton, amalgamated. Alton Town had been fantastically successful, winning everything in Hampshire in the period from 1947 to 1956 including Hampshire leagues Divisions 3, 2 & 1 (1948, 1949 & 1958), the Hampshire Intermediate Cup in 1949, the Russell Cotes Cup in 1949 and the Hampshire Senior Cup in 1958.

Alton Town first joined the Hampshire League in 1946 and won Division 3 East in their first season. However they were denied promotion due to a league reorganisation and the addition of extra teams to the Hampshire League. More success followed with the Division 2 title in 1948/49 and they also won the Russell Cotes Cup and Hampshire Intermediate Cup that year. Although they dropped to Division 2 for one season in 1954/55, they bounced back immediately and went on to win both the Division 1 championship and the Hampshire Senior Cup in 1957/58. They stayed in Division 1 until they left in 1973 to join the Athenian League Division 2 which they won in their first year. After an initial period of success in that league the Club found itself unable to compete and dropped down to the Combined Counties League before returning to the Hampshire League in 1984, starting at the bottom in Division 3. They found themselves in Division 2 in 1986/87 by dint if winning the Division 2 title for the third time.

Bass Alton started life as Courage & Company (Alton) FC and joined the Hampshire League in 1928/29. The following year they were in Division 2 and then won promotion to Division 1 where they stayed until being relegated to Division 2 in 1938/39, just before the club was disbanded for the War.

Courage rejoined the North Hants division briefly in 1954/55 before beginning their longest spell in the County League in 1972/73 when they entered Division 4. Promoted to Division 3 in 1975, they only lasted two years before dropping to Division 4 again. In 1979/80 the Club changed its name to Bass Alton FC and its fortunes changed with the name as they won promotion in successive years to Division 3 in 1979/80, to Division 2 in 1980/81 and to Division 1 as Division 2 runners-up and the end of the 1982/83 season after a 45-year absence.

Since the amalgamation, the Club has played in the Hampshire League and achieved promotion to the Wessex League by topping the Premier Division in 2002, moving to the Premier Division of the Cherry Red Records Combined Counties League from season 2013-14. The Club were relegated to Division One for season 2014/15, but moved back to the Sydenhams Wessex League Division One the following season. They remained in Division One until gaining promotion to the Premier Division in 2021/22 where they finished in a creditable 10th place. However, yet another FA re-organisation saw Alton switched back to the Combined Counties Premier Division South for the season 2022/23.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Monday night’s cup clash will be the first time these two sets have ever met.

Coming into this game, City are unbeaten in twelve games across all competitions and have won their last three group stage matches in the Subsidiary Cup on the road. They come in to this game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Penn & Tylers on Thursday evening.

Our opponents compete in the Allied Counties Youth Football League West Division and aren’t enjoying a rich vein of form like our youngsters. They do however come in to this fixture on the back of a 3-2 win against Thatcham Town at home on Monday night.

TICKETS

Prices are: 

Adults: £3

Senior/Concessions: £2

Under 18s: FREE

THE EXCLUSIVE NETWORKS  STADIUM

Address: The Exclusive Networks Stadium, Anstey Park Enclosure, Anstey Road, Alton GU34 2NB

GETTING HERE

By Car: From Reading take the A33.

At the M4 Junction 11 Three Mile Cross Interchange, take the third exit to stay on the A33.

In 0.7 miles at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Basingstoke Road/A33.

In 0.5 miles turn left onto The Causeway.

In 4.5 miles at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto B3349.

In 0.5 miles at the roundabout take the 3rd exit onto London Road/A30.

In 0.4 miles at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Station Road.

In 0.3 miles at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Griffin Way South/B3349.

In 0.5 miles at the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto A287.

In 0.6 miles at the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Hook Rd/B3349z.

In 0.5 miles at the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Dunleys Hill/B3349.

At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit and stay on Dunleys Hill/B3349 for 5.3 miles.

In 90 yards turn left onto Froyle Road.

In 1.9 miles turn right onto Old Odiham Road and continue on the Old Odiham Road.

In 0.5 miles turn left onto Gilbert White Way.

In 0.4 miles turn right onto Anstey Lane.

In 0.1 miles turn left.

The Exclusive Networks Stadium will be on your left in 72 yards.

By Rail: From Reading take trains bound for Gatwick Airport ensuring they call at North Camp, this service is operated by Great Western Railway.  Once you’ve arrived at North Camp which is six stops from Reading (approximately 30 minutes) you will need to walk to Ash Vale Railway Station. Exit via the station via the side entrance and follow the signposts to Ash Vale.

Walk north for 15 meters before turning right on to Lynchford Road in 128 meters.

In 106 meters take a slight right towards Lysons Avenue/B3166

In 0.3 miles continue onto Lysons Avenue/B3166

At the roundabout, take the 1st exit onto Vale Road/B3411

Turn left onto Station Approach, Ash Vale Railway Station will be on your right.

Once at Ash Vale Railway Station, take South Western Railway services bound for Alton. The journey is 4 stops (approximately 30 minutes).

Once you have arrived at Alton. The Exclusive Networks Stadium is only a 15 minute walk.

Exit via Alton Rail Station (Entrance), then head northwest toward Station Road.

Turn right onto Station Rd, before turning right onto Anstey Road.

Turn left. Then take another left, followed by another left.

The Exclusive Networks Stadium will be on your left.

FACILITIES 

Please note we have informed by Alton, that due to an event taking place in their clubhouse  until approx. 8:30pm, they will not be able to serve any drinks/snacks [hot or cold] until after that time.

Alton have also informed us that the club has a strict no-smoking policy [including vaping] once within the Enclosure and politely request that this is adhered to. The smoking area is outside the main gate, where suitable receptacles are placed.