Brackley Town vs Alfreton Town
Report by Matty Cotterill
The Reds travelled to title-chasing Brackley in what was sure to be a tough fixture for Billy Heath’s side.
Off the back of Tuesday evening’s 0-2 triumph over Mickleover in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, Alfreton was in pursuit of another win under their belt on the road in National League North
Alfreton got off to a positive start in Northamptonshire as Dwayne Wiley turned an effort towards goal after The Saints failed to clear an Adam Lund long throw, but it was comfortably collected by Maxted.
A huge chance would go begging just 10 minutes into the match. Matty Carson looped a ball through the channel as Brackley defender Lilly made a massive error. Akeel Francis nearly punished the mistake as his snapshot hit the top of the crossbar.
David Robson was forced into an unexpected save as Donawa floated a cross into the box which the Ofton keeper had to push over the bar as it drifted on target.
The sides went into the break deadlocked at the interval at 0-0 but Alfreton could take heart from creating the better of the few chances on offer.
Alfreton did well to hold out against the high flying Saints all the way until the final 15 minutes of the contest as The Reds attacking threat declined with the withdrawal of Jake Day minutes in to the second half
The opening goal for Brackley would come in the 75th minute as a cross from deep found Matt Lowe at the back post who directed the ball back across the goal, and Alfreton goalkeeper David Robson making his first league appearance for over a month
As The Reds applied pressure to try and salvage something from the game, Brackley, in the 89th minute, would wrap up all three points and send themselves top of the National League North, after a scramble in the area the ball would end up at the feet of Lowe who would once again find the back of the net for his brace.
Alfreton fought hard but couldn’t get the better of now-league leaders Brackley Town.
Billy Heath’s side now sits 15th in the league standings with games in hand on those around them.
The Reds next game is the visit of Scunthorpe United to the Impact on Tuesday 11th March.

Attendance: 984

Photo by Rob Knight