After a barren few weeks, Alfreton Town head back on the road this Saturday for only their second game of the month, travelling to Peterborough Sports for a crucial Matchday 11 clash in the Enterprise National League North. It marks the start of an exciting new era for the club, with new manager Jake Buxton set to take charge of the Reds for the very first time.

Jake, 40, has enjoyed a distinguished playing career at numerous local clubs and even joined a short loan spell as an Ofton player in the 2003/04 season in the Northern Premier League Premier Division making eight appearances under the management of David Lloyd. The then 19 year old returned to Mansfield where he received rave reviews. Following his release from Mansfield Buxton, he signed for Burton Albion and excelled as he helped Burton to the Conference National Title in 2008/09.

Jake then moved on to Derby County under the management of former boss Nigel Clough and became a cult figure at Pride Park. During a fruitful spell at the Rams, Buxton scored a winner against arch rivals Nottingham Forest in 2011/12 and was a starter in the Championship Play Off Final defeat at Wembley in 2014.

Beyond his playing career Jake Buxton has extensive coaching experience. He was appointed as player manager at Burton Albion in May 2020 following the resignation of the previous manager Nigel Clough.

After leaving the Brewers, Jake began working as a Professional Development Phase Coach, progressing through roles with the Under-18s and Under-21s. His exemplary work earned him a place on the first-team management staff, serving as Assistant Head Coach under interim boss Matt Hamshaw. At the beginning of the 2025/26 season Buxton was appointed as Senior Transition Coach - a role where he would help players in transition from academy football to first team football.

It's set to be a hugely pivotal afternoon, as all four current members of the bottom four face off against each other on the same afternoon. Bottom of the table Southport lock horns with 22nd place Oxford City, while Alfreton in 21st position battle it out with 23rd Peterborough Sports.

Alfreton’s only match over the past month came in difficult conditions, ending in a disappointing 3-1 defeat amid the driving rain and strong winds of Storm Amy against a resurgent Radcliffe side. Radcliffe have been in fine form, winning five of their last six matches and scoring an impressive 22 goals to surge into the top four of the league table. Goalkeeper Coby Hewitson, signed on a month-long loan from Sheffield United, made his debut due to the unavailability of George Willis, who was called up to the Blades’ management team for their Championship fixture away at Hull City. The result saw Alfreton slip back into the relegation zone, still searching for their first away win of the season. The Reds have not claimed victory on the road in league play since a 2-0 triumph at Scarborough in February 2025. On a positive note Jed Abbey scored his first goal since his return to the club as Ofton`s performance improved in the second half against Radcliffe. This means that recent signings Jed Abbey and Austin Samuels have scored both of the Reds recent goals.

The Reds have a strong record against the Turbines suffering just the one defeat in the previous six meetings between the sides. That one defeat did occur on Alfreton’s last visit to PIMS Park, when a Jake Day goal was cancelled out by a very late and dramatic hat trick from Sports sub Michael Gyasi, sealing a 3-1 comeback victory for the hosts. Like the Reds, Peterborough Sports have made a managerial change this term owing to their disappointing start to the campaign. Michael Gash and Luke Steele were sacked on 10th of September and swiftly replaced by former Kidderminster Harriers boss Phil Brown, who picked up his first league win two weeks ago, with a 2-1 home win over his former employers.

It's a big opportunity to take all three points before tough games against Chester, Buxton, Kidderminster, Chorley, AFC Fylde and Spennymoor Town in the coming weeks for Ofton.

Your passionate and vocal support is going to prove invaluable as we look for a huge morale boosting victory! COME ON OFTON.

We hope to see as many Alfreton fans as possible at PIMS Park to cheer on Bucko and the lads!

Travel (Supporters Coach)

Those wishing to travel on the Supporters Association bus, please contact Mark on 07857 558401. Departure is at 09:15 from the Impact Arena with a delightful stop off in Stamford

Travel (Car)

From this direction, you’ll want to head down the A1 before joining the A47. Once on the A47, you will arrive in Peterborough and exit the A47 at the turning sign-posted as ‘City Town Centre.’

After which, you will arrive at the first of two roundabouts - head straight across the first before turning right at the second. This will take you in the A15. From there, you will want to turn left on the slip-road in 400 yards and then right at the following t-junction.

In a further 600 yards, you will approach a church, turn left at this point and you will see a sign-post guiding you towards Lincoln Road.

Contact

If you want to get in touch with the club, you can email us on enquiries@alfretontownfc.com.

Alternatively, you can see the latest Reds news and updates on our club website and across our social media channels on X, Facebook and Instagram.

We hope you have a great time following the Reds on Saturday.