This opening match of the season saw the Knights travelling to Alton, and within a few minutes of the start a quickly taken throw-in by Hooper set Holloway goal-ward, after rounding a defender Holloway released Gardener, but his effort was well defended by Alton. Alton then mounted an attack, putting pressure on the Knights defence; but just as an Alton attacker was bearing down on goal, a well-timed tackle by Garland, brought this promising attack to a quick end. As the Knights starting building their attack, Holland tried his luck from distance, bringing off a good saved by the Alton keeper, but a loose clearance gave Hooper the opportunity to shoot first time, but a quick minded defender managed to clear the ball off the goal line, denying Hooper the opening goal. Alton kept coming forward but Blackbourn, Courtnage, Choularton and Owen, kept them at bay; Holland then released the ball for Holloway to chase, and once he had skipped passed a defender Holloway let fly towards goal, the Alton keeper could only palm the ball away and Hooper pounced, slotting home the Knights first goal of the match and season. From the re-start Alton rallied and a shooting opportunity soon arose, but their final effort only found the side netting. As the half was drawing to a close, Doel and Hooper combined to force the ball deep into the Alton half, Doel slotted the ball to Powell, but his effort was blocked; Gardener was the first to react, pouncing on the ball and finding the back of the net, giving the Knights a 2-0 lead. Alton again kept coming forward, and one of the attackers sped down the wing crossing the ball right into the heart of the Knights danger zone, there were players everywhere but an Alton striker stuck out a boot and fired home Alton’s first goal of the match, giving Rust, the Knights keeper no change due to the amount of players blocking his view, this was the last action of the first half.
Alton started the second half with all guns blazing, but the Knights defence stood firm; Courtnage slid the ball to Owen, who in turn released Hooper; Doel and Holloway were in support and the final effort by Holloway was well saved by the Alton keeper. Holland collected the ball in mid-field and set off towards goal, and just as he was about to shot, a well timed tackle put pay to this promising individual effort. Gardener controlled the ball from a throw-in, slipping the ball to Doel, and as he made his way down the wing, Hooper offered his support; Doel quickly passed to Hooper, who sent the ball goal ward towards Holloway. Holloway skilfully controlled the ball and fired home another Knights goal. This goal never stopped Alton from pushing forward, and they soon found an opening, floating the ball high into the Knights penalty area and scoring their 2nd goal of the match. This goal inspired Alton to attack again, but Rust played his part well saving from a corner and from an Alton long range effort. From an Alton attack, Owen, Choularton and Blackbourn combined to release the ball down field for Gardener to chase; he slotted the ball through to Holloway, who raced towards goal, looking up only to spot where to shoot, which he did, giving the Knights their 4th goal of the match and his 2nd. With the time ticking away both Alton and the Knights kept attacking but the final whistle brought this good opening match to an end. The manager and coach then had to pick man of the match, a difficult decision as every player played great football; but the decision went to Courtnage, playing back in defence for the first time, and showing that he hadn’t lost any of his defensive skills.
