Report: Amari and Bobby fire Reds to three huge points

Amari Morgan-Smith's 17th of the season in all competitions and Bobby Johnson's penalty sealed a huge three points for the Reds, as our elusive eight game win-less run came to an end and we turn extended our unbeaten run to three matches.

With just two minutes gone, Josh Clackstone's long throw was flicked on towards Amari who got the decisive touch ahead of the defender into the bottom corner in front of our travelling support.

Bobby then sent Mason the wrong way from the spot on 52 minutes, after Amari was hauled down in the box latching onto a Danny East knock-down.

The game started in the best possible way for the Reds when with just two minutes gone, a long Josh Clackstone throw was flicked on at the far post where Amari Morgan-Smith got a touch ahead of the defender as the ball went into the bottom corner.

It was the perfect start and the settler the Reds needed, Curzon looked to respond as Askew's cross was cleared by Ryan Qualter before Jordan Wright punched clear a Scott corner.

Calveley was nearly found with a through ball before Qualter and Conor Branson cleared away several crosses into the box. Wright then saved from Askew at the near post as the Nash continued to dominate after conceding the early goal.

Ben Tomlinson countered for us following another corner that was cleared, his cross flashed across the face as no one could catch up to connect with the ball. Miller fired wide of the far post in the box as Alfreton maintained their shape and continued to soak up pressure.

We did threaten again on 19, Bobby Johnson's free kick rising from 25 yards with Mason having to palm the shot over the bar. Tomlinson then headed the ball harmlessly wide from a Clackstone cross.

The hosts continued to huff and puff, Wright claimed another free kick from the right before a good five minute period of possession saw no real danger and the Reds not really being stretched either.

Dimaio fired a free kick from 22 yards over the bar, the Referee deemed Jordan got a touch on that, Wright punched the corner away before Baillie had two efforts, the first one blocked, the second one wide.

The second half again started well for us and we won a penalty when Amari was hauled down following a Danny East knock-down, Bobby stepped up and sent Mason the wrong way from the spot.

Qualter, an outstanding performer at the back again was alert to intercept a through ball from Shaw before blocking a cross from Miller. The half progressed with no real concerns for the Reds as we remained very solid throughout, Branson cleared another cross before Dimaio curled a free kick from 25 yards over the bar.

Amari had a rare chance on 75 minutes, Jude Oyibo produced a great run, nut-megging one before putting another Nash player on the floor, Amari curled the loose ball over the bar.

Wright then saved from Dimaio before we were sent down to ten men on 81 minutes, Amari tackled his man well before being penalised for the foul, his reaction to the decision was an emotional one and the Referee deemed that too far and produced a second yellow card and sent the Reds forward off.

This proved the last action as the Reds claimed a first win since 12th November and ended the win-less run of eight games and in turn kept a clean sheet away from home. It was a fantastic performance and a solid one too from Billy Heath's men.

With no game this Saturday, we return to action at Darlington on the 18th January at Blackwell Meadows.

ATFCXI: Wright, Clackstone, Preston, Johnson, Qualter (c), Branson, Smith, Tomlinson (Oyibo 66), Clarke, Morgan-Smith, East.

Subs Not Used: Freiter, Andrew, Blake, Whitham

Referee: Peter Shacklady
Attendance: 160