Report: Late winner sees Reds lose on opening day

A late Murombedzi deflected strike sealed all three points and opening day success for Brackley as the Reds were unlucky to not come away from St James Park with a point.

The hosts dominated the opening 15 minutes as Alfreton soaked up pressure but Billy Heath's side gradually grew into the contest and created some very good chances throughout. It was a case of fine margins straight away to start the campaign with the late deflection proving the difference.

The Saints started the game very well and pressed the Reds in their own half throughout the opening 15 minutes. Lowe produced a quick turn within 40 seconds on the edge of the box, we defended the free kick from a tight angle, before Jack Atkinson pushed away Baker's near post effort.

Langmead glanced a Baker cross just wide as Brackley dominated possession, Alfreton's first attacking moment was provided by Danny Clarke's pressing of the Saints back-line but he was penalised for clipping the defender from behind.

Josh Clackstone headed harmlessly wide from Clarke's deflected cross before the Reds grew into the game, the middle portion of the half was even with neither side really creating big chances but crucially, Alfreton had stemmed the early tide from the hosts.

Ndlovu was Brackley's main threat and his hold play was vital in maintaining Brackley attacks. A period of possession saw Myles brought down by Josh Wilde who is booked. The resulting free kick was curled over by Walker.

Several corner decisions were given as goal kicks as Amari Morgan-Smith's cross was blocked behind before David Lynch was tackled in the box, the Reds lost both decisions.

Alfreton's best chance of the half came in stoppage time when Danny East's corner was headed by Josh Thacker at the far post, but Lewis produced a stunning point blank save with a scramble ensuing seconds after.

The second half saw the Reds play far better, neat inter-plays and combinations were causing issues from Dale Whitham, Clackstone and Wilde. Whitham fired wide at the far post from East's corner before our end product lacked again as Wilde's cross went straight out after a neat attacking build up.

Armson hooked a Lowe cross over the bar in the box before Ndlovu's acrobatic effort in the box hit the bar and bounced out with some appealing for a goal. Lowe fired wide from the right side of the box.

Alfreton were still looking to generate a big chance with Morgan-Smith tackled well in the box before a header from Langmead was well held by Atkinson. Danny Clarke's volley bounced wide of the far post.

But with 84 gone, Murombedzi's effort took a deflection on the edge of the box and flew into the bottom corner to hand Brackley all three points in a game the Reds really should have come away from with a point.

It's a quick turnaround as we play our first home league game of the season with the visit of Boston United to the Impact on Tuesday night, kick off is 7.45pm.

ATFCXI: Atkinson, Clackstone, Wilde (c), Lynch, Smith, Qualter, Thacker, Whitham (Johnson 67), Clarke (Blake 86), Morgan-Smith, East (Tomlinson 78).

Subs Not Used: Bacon, Williams.

Attendance: 485