Match Preview

Alfreton Town will be looking to correct recent form as we face play-off sitting Brackley Town to the Impact Arena tomorrow afternoon in the National League North, kick off is 3pm.

After the National League announced that fixtures across all three divisions were to take place, despite suspensions to both the Premier League and EFL due to the global pandemic of the Coronavirus, the Reds fixture with Brackley will go ahead tomorrow.

Our last outing came against league leaders York last Saturday as the Minstermen ran out 3-1 winners at the Impact. A brace from Sean Newton sent City on their way to a comfortable three points, with Danny Clarke grabbing a late consolation for us.

Newton opened the scoring after nine with a free kick which went into the bottom corner, Kempster would add a second four minutes later with a well taken finish into the bottom corner.

Newton added a third for York in the second half with a free kick again which this time took a deflection and went into the bottom corner. Danny Clarke then collected an Amari Morgan-Smith flick on in stoppage time to finish low into the bottom corner in the box but this was merely a consolation.

The Reds struggled to create in the first half as we chased the ball and defended relentlessly, however the goals we conceded disappointed Billy Heath. The second half saw us match the leaders but too many times this season the first half damage proved costly as we grabbed a late goal to find the mark at least.

We head into tomorrow's game having lost our last two league games, conceding eight goals. This comes after going four games unbeaten. The York defeat was our first at the Impact in six and we will be aiming for a fourth home win in five outings tomorrow.

Brackley Town arrive to us sitting fourth in the National League North with 57 points from 33 games, they are a point behind third placed Boston but crucially five clear of 8th placed Spennymoor.

Their current playing record stands at: P33, W15, D12, L6.

The Saints survived a shock last Saturday as they ran out 5-2 winners over relegation threatened Blyth Spartans, after falling behind at 0-1 and then conceding an equaliser to make it 2-2, Brackley upped the ante to secure the points.

Brackley are draw specialists in the NLN, having drawn 12 league games, only Hereford can match that record with the Bulls also drawing 12 times. The visitors are unbeaten in six league games (W2, D4) and will be looking to avoid another draw tomorrow and secure another three points to keep the pressure on in the race for second place.

Away form has been strong for the Saints with just one defeat in their last nine away from home, only York and Kings Lynn have picked up more points on their travels this season.

Brackley will be looking to extend their current unbeaten run on the road to four games tomorrow afternoon.

Ground Address:
The Impact Arena, North Street, Alfreton, DE55 7FZ.

Admission:
Adults: £14, Concessions: £10, U16s: £2.

Visitor information and parking:

Food and drink facilities are available with two food outlets located in the ground. Alcoholic drinks are available from the bar with covered seating and standing also available to visiting fans.

We have a small car park next to the ground for a small fee, otherwise it is street parking in the surrounding roads, but please be respectful to our neighbours.

Form (Last five):
Reds - WDWLL
Brackley - DWDDW

Last Time Out:
Saturday 3rd August 2019:Brackley Town 1-0 Alfreton Town
The Reds suffered a narrow defeat at St James Park on the opening day of the 2019/20 campaign in our last meeting. A strike from the edge of the box from Murombedzi on 85 minutes secured a heartbreaking defeat for Alfreton who matched the Saints for large periods and should have come away with at least a point.