Report: Reds hit three in first half to record second league win

Photo Credit: Rodley Life

Alfreton Town hit three first half goals as James Jones, Elliott Reeves and Jake Day sealed a second win of the league season in a fantastic display at the Impact on Saturday afternoon.

It was the perfect response from the Reds following back to back defeats to Bradford PA and Brackley prior. Jones gave us the lead on 16, flicking a header into the bottom corner following a Dan Bradley corner. Farsley equalised on 18 as a ball came into the box which George Willis couldn't hold and Adam Clayton was on hand to stab the loose ball home from a few yards.

But Alfreton hit back again on 23, Reeves showing great skill to get himself into space inside the box and his shot, via a slight deflection, beat Drench into the bottom right corner. We extended the lead to 3-1 in first half stoppage time, Bradley's cross from the right was sliced into the air by Syers, Jake Day reacted before firing low across Drench into the bottom corner.

The game started well for us, we were moving the ball around nicely and looking to gain the advantage early. We had our first chance with eight minutes gone, Day and Reeves linked well with Day firing a shot wide of the post from inside the D.

We cleared a Farsley corner before taking the lead on 16, Reeves tested Drench with an effort which the Celts goalkeeper had to tip over the bar. Jones heading in the resulting Dan Bradley corner which left Drench stranded as it nestled in the bottom corner. The Reds couldn't settle on the lead and were pegged back almost instantly, George Willis unable to hold onto a ball into the box in slippery conditions, there was a scramble but Clayton was on hand to stab the ball home from a yard out or so.

The Reds never let the equaliser affect them and the response was fantastic as we looked to press the visitors again and we got the perfect reaction, re-taking the lead on 23, Reeves with an excellent solo run and skill to find space inside the box and his shot went into far right corner after taking a deflection.

Josh Clackstone won a header inside the box but Day couldn't quite connect on the ball as he slid with Ellis. Dom Smith then produced heroics which proved crucial as he cleared a Celts shot off the line, the Reds dawdled with the ball at the back and a Willis pass didn't reach Clackstone, Farsley reacted and looked to equalise again but for Dom Smith on the line.

Day would make it 3-1 in first half stoppage time, latching onto a Syers clearance which went high into the air and then firing past Drench into the bottom corner inside the box.

Farsley started the second half well, Spencer had a shot blocked behind for a corner which was headed away by Jones. Willis then collected a Hayhurst cross before bookings started arrive, Toby Lees was booked before Reeves found himself in the book for hacking down the Farsley player who had tackled him strongly seconds prior.

Walton forced a good save from Willis with his legs at the near post before we had penalty claims turned away with Will Atkinson who appeared to be blocked off in the box from Day's pass. Nathan Fox fired over the bar after a good twisting run on the left, Reeves then slid in Atkinson who looked onside, but the offside flag was raised.

The last chance came from Richards who curled a free kick over the bar. But it was a well managed second half from the Reds, who did the damage in the first half and in turn stayed solid and produced a fantastic performance to seal a deserved second league win of the season. Next up, we head to Leamington on Tuesday night, kick off is 7.45pm behind closed doors.

ATFCXI: Willis, Clackstone, Fox, Branson, Lees, Jones, Smith, Bradley (c) (Johnson 70), Day, Reeves (Walker 86), Atkinson.

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

Attendance: Behind Closed Doors