Report: Jones header seals point for Reds on opening night

James Jones first half header sealed a point for ten man Alfreton Town at the Tameside Stadium in torrential conditions, on the opening night of the National League North on Monday night.

Dominic Knowles gave the hosts the lead on 38 with a run from the right before cutting inside and curling one past George Willis.

The Reds responded well and dominated the latter part of the first half and were given their just rewards when James Jones headed a Bobby Johnson corner home from a few yards.

We started the game well with Danny Clarke winning a corner early on but the early corner from Bobby Johnson was cleared. Curzon began to get on the ball and attempt to gain combinations in and around the box but the likes of Toby Lees and Dom Smith intercepted the forward balls well.

The first half was a very even affair, Waters had a cross blocked by Josh Clackstone, George Willis punched the resulting corner away. Bobby Johnson had the first effort of the game on 9, a low shot which went wide of the far post.

The Nash responded but Curran's shot went wide of the post inside the box. Evans then hit a fizzing volley wide from 25 yards after a corner was cleared by Clackstone at the near post.

Max Harrop then hit a free kick harmlessly wide from 30 yards before the hosts nearly took the lead on 21 as Waters came in late at the far post in attempt to collect a cross but he couldn't connect to the ball. Curzon were creating some good openings and putting us under pressure but Willis in the Reds net was yet to be tested.

On 26 we should have taken the lead when a corner from Bobby was swung in, Clackstone headed the ball back into the mix, Curzon couldn't clear and the loose ball fell to Dom Smith who fired over the bar from a few yards.

Alfreton turned the tide from those early Nash chances and were having a good spell, Clarke spun well on the right touchline but his cross was cleared away in the box. Roberts then denied Dan Bradley's effort from inside the D.

Roberts then denied Bobby with a near post save after neat link up play with Clackstone in the box. The Curzon goalie denied Bobby again with an outstanding stretching save to palm away the Reds midfielder's stinging shot.

Against the recent run of play, the hosts took the lead on 38 when Knowles was found on the right side, he cut inside and curled a shot into the bottom corner from just outside the box.

The Reds grabbed a deserved equaliser in first half stoppage time as James Jones rose highest at the far post to nod home from Bobby's delivery.

The second period saw an increase in fouls, an increase in the rain to monsoon conditions and both sides battling hard in an intense opening fixture of the National League North. The hosts gained several free kicks with the Reds defending hard, Willis punching a free kick away.

Elliott Reeves had an opening on 52 following a corner which was cleared towards him, however the forward could only fire wide of the post when well placed. Curzon continued to push and Waters delivery from the right touchline needed a touch behind for a corner which Willis cleared yet again.

The game was becoming increasingly stretched with the Reds last ditch at times thanks to interceptions from Conor Branson and Jones. Bradley had a shot blocked on the edge of the box before Bobby's ball into the box just needed a touch but the ball eluded everyone in Red.

Mahon curled a shot over the bar before Willis denied Curran's shot from close range with a strong save before three straight Curzon corners were dealt with in the pouring rain.

Willis saved from Mahon again before Waters blazed over the bar from Obiyde's pass, Curran fired over the bar late on and then Josh Clackstone was shown a second yellow card in stoppage time, despite winning the ball and then the man; however the Referee deemed the challenge a second bookable offence.

However despite the late set back of losing Clackstone, the Reds held on for a point on the opening night of the league season. Curzon certainly had the better chances in the second half and under the conditions, Alfreton will be pleased to get a point on the board away from home in another solid performance.

Next up, we host Spennymoor Town on Matchday two at the Impact Arena for our first home league game of the season, kick off is 3pm behind closed doors.

ATFCXI: Willis, Clackstone, Fox, Branson, Jones, Lees, Smith, Bradley (c), Clarke, Reeves (Day 76) (Lund 90), Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Unwin-Marris, Grice, Sketchley.

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors