Goals Galore

Matchday #2 of Season 2025/26 for us was another double-header. It was a glorious sunny day so Miss and I made the most of it and hit the road, starting with a trip to Alton.

I played for Alton back in 2010 in a pre-season friendly, which the Brewers unfortunately lost 5-1 against AFC Totton at their previous home, the Bass Sports Ground. (Me back in the day when I had hair… 🤷‍♂️)

However, this was a first trip for us both to their ‘new’ ground, obviously not so new now.

We parked up just off Anstey Lane, next to the martial arts club that seemed to have a party going on. Miss clocked the park immediately opposite, but it was far too hot for the park today!

We got round to the turnstiles and paid the £2 admission (a bargain for a football match these days!) and went into the ground.

It is a smart ground with a decent stand with seats on one side and another stand on the opposite side, terracing, but with a scoreboard too. The clubhouse is great with a well-stocked bar, ample seating and friendly staff.

We went for a walk and Miss spotted a couple of “beautiful butterflies” and chased after them. During that time, Hartley Wintney took the lead against Alton (the visitors went on to win the game 5-0).

We spent much of the afternoon in the clubhouse as it was so hot outside, but I could watch the game from the window and Miss roamed around and had a lengthy FaceTime with Mummy too!

There was a very well timed visit from the Ice Cream Van too - what a treat! (As you can tell, it went down well!)

The facilities at Alton were excellent, and much to my delight, there were baby changing facilities too! Everything we need in a football ground, it delivered! There was even a smart cabinet in the clubhouse selling Alton merchandise, including beautiful watches 👀Well done Alton - we’ll be back!

We stopped off for a second game of the day at Bottom Meadow - Miss’ fourth visit to the home of Sandhurst Town (and Bracknell who were facing Winchester City there).

This is a popular haunt for us - good parking, good food and drink and a park by the ground plus a lovely cafe with ice cream again!

Inside the ground, Bracknell are continuing to make ground improvements - as I said on my last visit here - hopefully they add baby changing facilities!

We sat on the steps behind the goal as it was in the shade, and watched Winchester City win 4-3, including a Tommy Wright hat-trick. ‘Silly Rob’ (sorry :/) was in attendance with his wife, Jo, and Miss and Jo played catch much to Miss’ delight. We also had a hamburger and several bottles of water (one was thrown over each other but at least we stayed cool 🤷‍♂️)

A lovely day out in the summer sun - and 12 goals in 2 matches. So four games into our new season and we’ve seen 18 goals in four matches, in four different grounds, including two new ones for Miss, seeing her hit 115 games so far. Not 3 until late October either 👀

Back next week 🫡