First Team
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Sat 31 Aug 2019  ·  Vanarama National League North
Kidderminster Harriers
0
1
Alfreton Town Football Club
First Team
Report: Smith goal secures fourth league win in a row

Report: Smith goal secures fourth league win in a row

Towerzey Lisa31 Aug 2019 - 20:14
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Kidderminster 0-1 Alfreton Town

Alfreton Town made it four league wins in a row as Dom Smith's first half header secured yet another three points as the Reds rise to third in the National League North.

Smith headed in unmarked from Bobby Johnson's corner just before the break as we made it four league wins in a row, back to back away wins and back to back clean sheets.

It was another gutsy display from Billy Heath's side in a game of very few clear cut chances for either side but Alfreton took one of their openings and in turn, took the three points.

The game started in a tight fashion with former Red Cliff Moyo defending well from Amari Morgan-Smith, the Reds were moving the ball well however and were probing on the edge of the Kidderminster box but there was no early penetration.

There was not much tempo to the game as both sides were unable to maintain possession, the midfield was a key area with neither defence troubled.

The first chance came on 15 minutes when Josh Thacker headed a Bobby Johnson corner over the bar, Amari then had a shot blocked before Josh Clackstone's cross was blocked behind with our penalty shouts waved away.

Thacker then fired wide via a deflection after good work from Danny Clarke to hold the ball and feed him in. Amari then couldn't guide his header goal-wards after a fantastic diagonal pass from Dom Smith.

The Reds were defending well throughout with the back-line holding firm and denying every Kiddy attack throughout the half. Chambers had two brief moments but Ryan Qualter mopped up the first and the offside flag denied the second.

However with the Reds second big chance we took advantage when Dom Smith headed in unmarked at the far post from Johnson's corner to edge us into the lead heading into the second half.

Harriers started the second half strongly and Josh Wilde had to be alert to clear a Chambers cross, before Butterfield fired just over the bar from outside the box. The hosts had a big chance on 51 when Davidson was picked out with a ball over the top, he sprung clean through before firing wide of the far corner with Jack Atkinson to beat.

Jack then denied Prosser's low shot before the game slowed in pace which suited us. Johnson delivered another dangerous corner which no one could get on the end of. The pressure continued for the hosts but again we defended well, Atkinson commanded his area to pluck a Williams corner out of the sky.

Gregory then denied substitute Ben Tomlinson's low rifled shot from outside the box, palming the ball onto the post, Chambers fired over the bar at the other end after a good turn in the box. Amari slipped past his man in another counter attack for the Reds but his shot was blocked in the box with handball shouts again waved away.

Drama ensued in the final minute of stoppage time with Atkinson racing out to touch the ball away from Chambers in the box, the Harriers fans were screaming for a penalty as the Reds hacked the ball away.

Tomlinson was then sent off for a second bookable offence, the first for dissent was harsh a few minutes prior and the second offence being a good but firm challenge. However the Referee saw this as a yellow card and sent Tomlinson off.

But we held on for a fourth league win in a row and back to back clean sheets in the league. It was also our second successive 1-0 win at Aggborough as the Reds move to third in the league table.

Next we look for five in a row against one of the divisions form teams and new boys, Kings Lynn Town, we travel to the Linnets on Tuesday night, kick off is 7.45pm.

ATFCXI: Atkinson, Clackstone, Wilde (c), Lynch, Killock, Qualter, Thacker, Smith, Clarke (Tomlinson 61), Morgan-Smith (Blake 86), Johnson (East 68).

Subs Not Used: Whitham, Hinchley.

Attendance: 1183

Match details

Match date

Sat 31 Aug 2019

Kickoff

15:00

Attendance

1,183

Competition

Vanarama National League North
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