Report: Reds thrashed as Spenny cruise to win

Alfreton Town were heavily beaten at Brewery Field on Saturday afternoon as the hosts hit the Reds for five in what proved to be a clinical performance in torrential conditions.

Glen Taylor got the hosts off to the perfect start after just four minutes from the penalty spot following holding in the box, which the referee spotted. Roberts converted from close range just two minutes into the second half to give us a mountain to climb.

Three further goals came in the final 13 minutes as Buddle nodded home from a floated free kick before Ramshaw reacted in the box from a few yards to finish off a loose ball and then his cross from the left curled into the far corner with help from the wind which bamboozled Jordan Wright as the ball looped into the corner.

The game began with nothing really going on within the first few minutes, there were good midfield battles involving Conor Branson and Bobby Johnson as both sides looked to settle. But with three on the clock, Spennymoor were awarded a penalty for apparent holding in the box at the far post from a corner, Taylor stepped up and converted with Wright diving the right way.

Danny East produced a good cross but it eluded everyone, Amari Morgan-Smith and Danny Elliott were working hard to chase long balls but the Moors defence often had these covered.

Ryan Qualter cleared a Roberts cross and the two players clashed again with Qualter making an important challenge in the box. Wright tipped a Forbes drive over the bar, Taylor somehow headed the following corner wide when well placed.

The Reds best attacking move of the half came on 29, Amari found Branson who played it into Danny but there was cover to halt the run. At the other end Roberts fired wide from a tight angle.

Henry then hit the base of the post inside the box as he slipped on the wet surface which was also cutting up heavily amongst the heavy rain and winds. McKenna had a chance which he couldn't tap home before Wright denied Roberts with a good save, Buddle headed over the bar unmarked from a Brogan free kick as the first half came to a close. The Reds were still in the contest despite all the chances that went begging for the Moors.

The second half started in a poor fashion for Alfreton as we fell 2-0 behind with two minutes of the half played, Roberts reacted quickest to fire into the bottom corner after we half cleared a ball in the box.

Roberts should have made it three on 49, linking well with Taylor but firing wide with the goal at his mercy. Bobby had a free kick blocked and from our set piece, Dom Smith headed wide. The Reds were beginning to press and have more urgency about their play but Spennymoor still carried that threat in the final third.

Bobby dragged a shot wide before we couldn't find a killer through ball in the final third as the hosts defended well. Dale Whitham played Ben Tomlinson through but again crucial defending denied Amari contact with the cross in the box.

Then with 77 gone, Buddle headed a free kick into the bottom corner to zap our attempts to get back into the game. It was four on 83 when Ramshaw reacted quickest in the box to convert from a few yards.

Ramshaw then grabbed his second from the left as his cross come shot looped into the far corner with the wind catching Wright out as the ball floated in.

This completed the scoring as the Reds were well beaten and we lacked clear chances within the game. The first and second goals proved crucial as we look to bounce back this Saturday with a visit to Gloucester, kick off is 3pm.

ATFCXI: Wright, East (Tomlinson 69), Wilde (c), Clarke, Qualter, Smith, Killock, Elliott, Branson (Whitham 64), Morgan-Smith, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Freiter, Tuton, Lynch.

Referee: Mr J Miles
Attendance: 1000