Report: Reds impress again as Reeves grabs point

Elliott Reeves latched onto a first half mistake to ensure the Reds claimed a point over promotion fancied Spennymoor Town at the Impact Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Reeves capitalised on a slow pass back to race onto the ball and curl a shot into the bottom corner just before half time, our equaliser cancelling out Glen Taylor's penalty mid-way through the first half.

The point saw Alfreton start the season with back to back draws, with this draw particularly impressive; thanks to the Reds dangerous counter attacks and solid defensive display producing one of our best performances against Spennymoor.

The game started very evenly, James Jones headed a free kick from McLean away before Danny Clarke created the first moment of danger as he pressed the Moors defender into a mistake on the left touchline before driving forward and then taken down by Buddle. Bobby Johnson stepped up and curled the free kick from just outside the area over the bar.

Dan Bradley then skewed an effort wide after good work from Reeves to win a corner. Several free kicks arrived for the Moors with the first leading to a penalty appeal which was waved away after a Spenny player went down in the box, the second free kick saw Toby Lees head behind before the corner came to nothing with Dom Smith fouled in the box.

Ramshaw fired a snap shot wide before a long ball forward into the box was missed by George Willis, Josh Clackstone read the play and was on hand to clear the ball away from the line with Ramshaw pressing to tap the ball home.

Glen Taylor cut inside and fired one straight at Willis before Reeves broke free down the left again but his pass inside for Clarke was cut out. Spenny then countered us from a long throw which we made a mess of, Taylor and Ramshaw broke away and with a man over in the box, the ball could only trickle wide of the post after Jones managed to get some connection on the shot to block.

With 30 minutes gone the visitors were awarded a penalty as a cross from the right saw Jones flattened in the box, the ball then hit Clackstone on his shoulder and the penalty was given, despite furious Reds protests. Glen Taylor stepped up and converted past Willis into the bottom left corner, with George guessing the right way too.

Willis saved from Curtis's low header at the far post on 33, Bobby had a shot blocked in the box as we looked to turn the tide and we were given the perfect opportunity by the Moors on 44 minutes. Reeves raced onto a back pass inside the box and curled a low effort past Eve to give the Reds a deserved equaliser based on the first half activity.

The second half was a very close affair, both sides traded chances and appeared to cancel the other out. Bradley was found on the right by Bobby but his shot was held by Eve. Jones then headed straight at Eve from a Fox deep free kick.

McLean hammered a free kick over from 25 yards before Reeves chased a long ball, he was fouled but he carried on, cutting inside from the left and curled one just over the bar. Elliott was then fouled which saw Bobby curl a low free kick which Eve parried.

Willis saved from Taylor's low effort as the Reds goalie took charge and looked very impressive in the second period. He claimed a McLean free kick and corner which kept the Reds relaxed and composed. The bookings mounted for the Moors as Hall and Spencer went into the book for late challenges.

The game reached a frenetic end as both sides looked for a winner and we continued to defend strongly. Ramshaw fired a first time effort over the bar from a cross on the left in the Moors biggest chance of the half.

Alfreton then could of won it in stoppage time when Reeves slid Bradley through but Eve saved the effort with his body to deny us snatching all three points. However the Reds will be delighted with the display as we secured another point in an impressive performance.

Next up, we travel to FC United of Manchester in the FA Cup 3QR on Tuesday night, unfortunately no away fans are permitted to attend this fixture, but it will be live streamed by FC United.

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

Subs Not Used: Lund, Unwin-Marris, Day, Grice.

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors