Report: Reds well beaten as Heed secure three points

Photo by Charlie Waugh

Alfreton Town's poor run of form continued as Gateshead struck early in the first before adding two late on in the second to seal all three points and condemn the Reds to a third straight defeat and a fourth game without a win in all competitions.

Kayode gave the Heed the lead after nine minutes with a well taken finish on the turn under pressure which found it's way into the bottom corner.

The Reds then equalised with 57 gone as Dale Whitham fired a loose ball into the bottom corner after an Amari Morgan-Smith nod down.

However two late goals from Preston on 77, a wonder strike into the top corner from 25 yards and a great individual goal from Kayode for his second of the game sealed the three points for the hosts and continued the Reds poor run of form.

The hosts started the game strongly with Nicholson venturing down the right hand side on many occasions with debutant Danny Preston having his work cut for him early on. Nyle Blake had a long throw for us which was headed away, only as far as Ryan Qualter but his header was easily held by James.

Dom Smith headed another cross away as Gateshead were probing around our box; and with nine minutes gone the Heed took the lead. Kayode was found in the box and he held the ball up very well before firing into the bottom left corner past Jack Atkinson.

It was a disappointing goal to concede with the Reds having plenty of bodies around Kayode but the striker still got the shot away. The goal elevated the Heed's confidence as they retained the ball and continued to dominate possession.

Shane Killock headed away a free kick from the right before Preston had to be alert to clear away from Kayode at the far post. From the resulting corner, Forbes should have made it 2-0 as his free header just a few yards out went over the bar.

Heed's Preston tried to slide in Kayode in the box but Jack read it well to intercept. We then had our first dangerous attacking moment after 28 minutes, Dale Whitham was clipped inside the D after a period of pressure from us with balls in from Blake and Smith.

Amari Morgan-Smith stepped up and went for power with James tipping the shot over the bar. Jake Bennett's corner found Qualter but there wasn't enough power on his header at the far post.

Kayode then fired over the bar after Josh Thacker lost possession in our box, it was another big chance that went begging for the Heed.

The second half was once again far better for the Reds, Qualter looked long for Blake who was tackled well in the box, Bennett's corner was then headed away. Atkinson then pinched the ball off Kayode's feet as he was threaded through.

Thacker then came closest for Alfreton with a cracking effort from 25 yards which smacked the crossbar with James nowhere near it. Amari fired a free kick into the wall before the Reds did level the contest on 57, a Blake cross found Amari who nodded the ball down, the loose ball then fell for Dale Whitham who found the bottom corner with a low strike.

Alfreton had a foot-hold in the contest with the home fans massively vocal throughout the second period, Qualter was booked for handball. Preston then fired over the bar after cutting inside for the hosts.

Preston was then denied again, this time by the Red's Danny Preston who cleared his shot off the line after the Heed midfielder skipped past Atkinson in the box. Danny did well to recover to clear off the line.

Jack denied Nicholson with a good stop before Gateshead's pressure did toll as Preston got his goal on 77 and it was a superb finish as he cut inside and fired into the top corner from 25 yards.

Then in stoppage time, the hosts added a third as Kayode produced a great individual goal cutting inside before twisting back across Killock and finishing under Atkinson to seal a 3-1 win for Gateshead.

It was another defeat for Billy Heath's side who despite improving in the second half, were well beaten with the Heed's inter-play and ball retention impressive throughout. Two late goals secured a comfortable score-line and Alfreton head into Saturday's game with Gloucester City needing three points to arrest the poor form.

ATFCXI: Atkinson, Thacker, Preston, Whitham, Smith, Qualter (c), Killock, Branson, Blake (Clackstone 68), Morgan-Smith, Bennett (Grice 72).

Subs Not Used: Clackstone, Unwin-Marris, Lynch, Grice, Brough.

Referee: Nathaniel Cox
Attendance: 721