Report: Reds run ended as clinical Bradford take points

Alfreton Town were left to rue missed chances as two second half goals from Hibbs and Clee sealed all three points for Avenue at the Horsfall on Saturday afternoon.

The Reds had plenty of chances and created far more than the hosts but Bradford were clinical and took two of their chances to seal the points and continue their unbeaten run and end the Reds one.

Hibbs found the net with acres of space inside the box on 69, Clee added a second on 77 with a good finish which went into the top corner across Willis from the left side of the box to leave the Reds frustrated at the full time whistle.

We started the contest on top, Elliott Reeves caused issues at the back as he won an early corner which Toby Lees headed over the bar from. Reeves then fired into the side netting inside the box, after reaching a long ball forward which Bobby Johnson couldn't initially control.

James Jones headed another Reds corner over following good work from Nicky Walker and Dan Bradley on the break, Bradley's cross just eluding Reeves which led to the set piece.

Boyes drove into our box and had a shot blocked by Lees before Walker broke free on the left, into the box and cut inside before testing Atkinson at the near post. The Reds continued to press and Nathan Fox rattled the crossbar from inside the box after Bradford failed to clear away from Bobby's flick inside the box.

Sanyang fired over the bar for Avenue inside the box before George Willis palmed away Marriott's effort from outside the area.

The second half started in a similar fashion with Alfreton dominating, Reeves was fouled on the edge of the D, Walker stepped up but hit the free kick into the wall. Josh Clackstone replaced Nathan Fox who had to come off with an injury, Reeves couldn't find Connor Branson at the far post with a cross before penalty claims against Bobby Johnson were waved away.

Knight curled a free kick from 23 yards over the bar for Bradford, Lees headed wide from a tight angle at the far post from a Bobby deep free kick. Branson fired way wide of the post from distance before forcing Atkinson via a deflection, into a catch from 30 yards.

On 69, Bradford PA took the lead as Hibbs blasted the ball home past Willis and Branson on the line, a cross from the right found Sanyang at the far post who forced George into a save. The hosts recycled and the ball was played into Hibbs unmarked and he finished into the corner.

With 77 gone it was 2-0, Clee was found in acres of space on the left side of the box and he finished across Willis into the top corner to leave the Reds frustrated.

We huffed and puffed further in the last ten minutes, Jones headed over the bar from a Bobby corner, Jake Day could only glance wide with a free header from a Clackstone cross and Lees hit the top of the bar from another late corner.

The Reds will need to bounce back quickly and look to go on another unbeaten run after being left to rue the missed chances within the game, despite another very good display, we lacked the killer touch in front of goal and this cost us.

Next up we face Brackley Town at the Impact behind closed doors on Tuesday night, kick off is 7.45pm and you can watch the game live on ATFCTV.

ATFCXI: Willis, Atkinson, Fox (Clackstone 49), Branson, Lees, Jones, Smith (Day 78), Bradley (c), Walker (Tuton 63), Reeves, Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Lund, Unwin-Marris.

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors