Pre season Report: Reds impress over Spireites

Alfreton Town produced an impressive performance to see of National League neighbours Chesterfield as goals from James Jones and Jake Day capped a 2-0 win for the Reds at the Impact yesterday.

Jones glanced in a Nathan Fox cross into the far corner on 41 before Day's powerful run and finish into the near post corner in stoppage time rounded off a very strong display for Billy Heath's men.

We started the game well, soaking up Spireites pressure which included a cross from the left which Toby Lees had to nod behind and the resulting corner was also cleared. Elliott Reeves had his first attacking moment as he skipped past his man on the right only to see his shot deflected into the hands of Spireites goalie Letheren.

Bobby Johnson dragged a shot wide after a strong run from midfield, Shaun Tuton then fired over the crossbar after cutting inside on the left flank.

Former Red Tom Denton headed over the bar from a Buchanan cross before the Reds increased the pressure once more. Denton headed away a Bobby corner before Letheren tipped over a Jones header from the recycled cross.

Reeves forced Letheren into a save again after a tricky run from the right into the box. Tuton then showed amazing close control to turn his man before his acrobatic effort from Josh Clackstone's cross was skewed, Reeves picked up the loose ball but fired into the side netting.

Bobby's free kick was then saved by Letheren, Conor Branson's follow up effort was blocked as the Reds created chance after chance throughout the first half. George Willis made his first big save with 38 gone, denying Smith from close range.

With 41 gone we took a deserved lead as James Jones glanced a header into the far corner from Nathan Fox's cross from the right.

The second half saw Chesterfield start brightly again with Willis denying Smith again with a save at the near post, Denton's shot was blocked from the resulting corner and he then nodded wide at the far post from a free kick a few minutes later.

Bobby then hit the crossbar with a free kick from 25 yards which hit the wall and looped onto the bar, Branson's low shot was then saved before Reeves was caught offside a few times as we continued to look the better side going forward.

Reeves then caught a short back pass to Letheren but his attempt to lob the goalie saw the goalkeeper intercept the ball. Chesterfield's best chance of the whole game came on 78 when Rawson was played through with just Willis to beat and he curled his effort off the inside of the post, Willis then denied Smith a rebound tap in from a tight angle.

Rio Molyneaux was so unlucky to not seal the game on 89 when he was found by Danny Clarke on the counter but he could only fire wide of the post past the onrushing Letheren. However Jake Day would seal the win and a clean sheet in the process with a powerful run on the right into the box and a cracking finish into the near post corner.

Overall it was a fantastic performance all over the park for the Reds who were full value for the win and clean sheet. A strong display full of quality as the season draws closer.

Next up on the schedule is the visit of another National League side in Altrincham on Tuesday night with a 7.45pm kick off, this fixture will unfortunately also be behind closed doors; due to current government guidelines.

ATFCXI: Willis (Trialist 80), Clackstone (Lund 71), Fox (Trialist 87), Branson (Clarke 67), Jones, Lees, Smith, Bradley (c) (Trialist 86), Tuton (Day 71), Johnson (Grice 81), Reeves (Molyneaux 73).

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors