Report: Reds rocked as Blyth advance in FA Trophy

Alfreton Town were knocked out of the FA Trophy last night as three goals in 17 first half minutes sent Blyth through to the first round, as recent form proves a tough struggle for Billy Heath's depleted squad.

The Spartans took the lead after just five minutes when Callum Roberts feinted a shot on the edge of the area to get himself into space before unleashing a rocket which flew into the top corner with Jack Atkinson rooted.

It was 2-0 just two minutes later as McGlade found the far corner from the right side of the area in what was another fantastic finish. The third came on 17 as Danny Clarke's back-pass was under-hit and it allowed Sweet to latch on to the ball and finish under Atkinson.

Amari Morgan-Smith pulled one back in the second half with a brilliant volley which went into the far corner but the first half damage proved telling.

The game started at such a good tempo for the visitors, although it was the Reds who had the first sighter, Nyle Blake floating a cross over to the far post which just eluded Dom Smith.

Then Alfreton were hit with two goals in two minutes with Roberts finding the top corner from inside the D before McGlade found the far corner from the right side of the box. Jack Atkinson couldn't get anywhere near both strikes and the Reds were left with a mountain to climb with only seven played.

Roberts forced Jack into another save at his near post before they extended the lead to three on 17 with Sweet latching onto a under-hit back-pass from Danny Clarke and he slotted the ball under Atkinson to give Blyth a commanding lead.

The Reds attempted a response but Dec Bacon's shot from distance was easy for Hemming. Blyth were content with the lead as the first half action soon became minimum, Alfreton were still looking for a goal before the break but our attacking moves broke down too frequently and we lacked time on the ball to really cause the Spartans problems.

Dom Smith then departed the field with a head injury to add to the many players already sidelined for Billy Heath. McGlade's cross found Sweet in the box but he slipped at the vital moment as we escaped a fourth goal heading into half-time.

The second half saw improvement from the Reds with Amari firing just wide of the post before our forward did pull one back with 53 gone as he volleyed in a fantastic effort into the bottom corner past Hemming in the box.

The goal lifted us with Blake surging down the right, the ball fell to Josh Thacker whose cross hung in the air before Blyth cleared away from Bacon.

Hemming then produced heroics on 68 minutes which proved a crucial save in the context of the game, he tipped Amari's free kick onto the inside of the post denying us what would have been a massive second goal in the tie. Clarke had a shot saved from just inside the D before Ryan Qualter's over-head kick went wide of the post from a Clarke cross late on.

Overall, the first half damage proved costly again for Alfreton in a game this season and despite a much improved second half we couldn't close the arrears as the squad status remains very light on numbers, with Dom Smith adding to our concerns. It's another early exit from a cup competition this season with the league campaign now taking full focus.

Next up, the Reds travel to Gateshead in the National League North on Saturday, kick off is 3pm as we look to find form and also grind through a difficult period of results and squad make-up.

ATFCXI: Atkinson, Clackstone, Thacker, Clarke, Smith (Grice 42), Qualter (c), Killock, Branson, Blake, Morgan-Smith, Bacon (Bennett 64).

Subs Not Used: Marris, Hinchley.

Referee: Richie Watkins
Attendance: 165