Report: Clarke goal maintains unbeaten start

Danny Clarke’s goal in the second half sealed a first win of the new season and a third game unbeaten in the National League North as we claimed an impressive and organised win at Telford United on Saturday afternoon.

Danny Clarke planted home a cross come shot from Elliott Reeves after a neat turn by the forward inside the box, from a few yards out to seal the three points on Halloween and move ATFC to 10th in the table.

The first half was one which saw limited clear cut openings, Danny Clarke did well to win a corner but the set piece was cleared away as Bobby Johnson delivered. We were looking long for Clarke and Elliott Reeves but our forward balls had just too much on them as we looked to get in behind.

Dan Bradley had the first effort of the game on 14 minutes as he collected a Johnson pass before striding forward and firing low and wide of the far post from 25 yards.

The Bucks responded with Hardy running into space before firing over George Willis' crossbar. Bobby then came closest on 17 with a stunning effort which bounced off the post, Clarke could only fire the rebound over.

Williams looked to flick the ball into the far corner from a cross on the right but Willis held the effort. Reeves then fired wide when well placed from a Reds corner which was half cleared by the Bucks. Hardy floated a free kick into the far post but Sutton couldn't direct his header goal-wards on the dive.

Willis held a low free kick following a foul from James Jones before the Reds centre back nearly directed the ball into his own net after a cross from the right was turned onto the post.

We came close with 37 gone as Reeves and Clarke linked well with the former testing Griffiths who had to tip the shot over the bar from inside the D. That proved to be the last action of the half as the Reds produced a solid display in the first period.

The second half saw Telford press early on, Willis saved from Williams' effort from outside the area before Jones headed a Streete ball behind for a corner. Alfreton cleared the set piece before the move broke down for the hosts.

We continued to defend strongly as Willis saved a cross from the right before Connor Branson and Jones blocked follow up efforts from outside the box. We then had a penalty shout waved away as Dom Smith rose highest to win the ball ahead of the on-rushing Griffiths, Dom was taken out and the Referee pointed to the spot, only for the linesman to flag for offside, with offside the decision that was final.

Jones curled one at Griffiths from the edge of the area before Telford countered and Jones and Nathan Fox blocked well to deny Hardy inside the D. The hosts continued to put the pressure on as Branson had to clear another cross behind.

With 70 minutes gone, Alfreton took the lead as Dan Bradley played Reeves through inside the box, he turned before his cross-come shot found Clarke who planted the ball home to give us the lead and the edge in what had been an even game throughout the first half and second half. But the Reds finally made took one of their chances after creating the better openings thus far.

Reeves went down just outside the box after winning the ball ahead of the Telford player but no free kick was given. The Bucks went more direct with ten to go, Willis denied several efforts; the first from outside the box, before getting his hands in the way of a low shot on the right side of the box.

The hosts best chance came on 88 as a Brendon Daniels corner was cleared before a shot came in through a crowd of bodies which went inches wide of the post. Several corners came in stoppage time with Griffiths coming up for both but the Reds cleared and sealed the points.

It was a fantastic display all over the park from Alfreton who maintained their unbeaten start to the National League North and grabbed a first win of the season and in turn the first side to win at Telford in this campaign.

Next we face AFC Fylde at the Impact Arena on Tuesday, as the Coasters arrive looking to continue their 100% start to the season, kick off is 7.45pm.

ATFCXI: Willis, Atkinson, Fox, Branson, Jones, Lees, Smith, Bradley (c), Clarke, Reeves (Walker 89), Johnson (Williams 82).

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

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors