Match Preview

Alfreton Town face a first trip to the new Jakemans Community Stadium on Boxing Day as we face Boston United in the National League North, kick off is 3pm behind closed doors.

Fixtures at the Impact Arena also remain behind closed doors due to Derbyshire's placement into tier 3 following the two weekly review this week and as instructed by government guidelines and protocols. However we hope to welcome our supporters back to the Impact Arena and back on the road as soon as possible and as soon as government guidelines will allow to do so.

The Reds were knocked out of the FA Trophy on Tuesday night after a hard fought performance against National League Kings Lynn. However it was the side from the division above which showed their quality and there were no complaints at the final whistle.

The Linnets took the lead after just two minutes when Adam Marriott slotted home past George Willis after a through ball found him clean through. Marriott would add a second in the second half in similar fashion with a low finish past Willis into the bottom corner.

Bobby Johnson would pull a goal back with a wonderful strike from 20 yards which went past Mair into the bottom corner. However after a five minute spell of pressure where the Reds looked to push for an equaliser, we were hit on the break as Barrows scored a tap in following a save from Willis to deny Carey's low shot.

Despite the Reds matching the Linnets for good periods, it was the attacking quality of the opposition that proved the difference. A return to league action for the Reds presents a real need to return to form after recent results. Two 95th minute equalisers conceded to Southport and Chorley have seen four points dropped from the last two league games.

Alfreton will be desperate to bounce back in the league and in turn look for an elusive win which has seen good performances result in points dropped. We head into tomorrow's game seeking our first win in seven games in all competitions and six in the league.

The Reds have registered just two wins from 13 league games we have played so far, with our last win coming against Farsley (3-1) on 14th November. Our back to back draws seeing us go two unbeaten is our best run of form since the start of the league season when we went four unbeaten (W1, D3).

We have lost four of our last five league games away from home with our only away win so far coming at Telford (0-1 on 31st October).

Hosts Boston sit in 12th place in the league table with 15 points from nine matches played. They are four points above us and have played four games less, the Pilgrims have played the joint second lowest amount of the games in the division so far.

Their current playing record stands at: P9, W4, D3, L2.

Boston are currently four matches unbeaten in all competitions (W3, D1) including two wins in the FA Trophy, most recently over Fylde on penalties to progress to the fourth round.

The Pilgrims are unbeaten in their last two league outings, 0-0 v Chester and 0-1 at Blyth. They have only tasted defeat twice in the National League North thus far.

Home form has seen Boston win just once in the NLN out of the four league games they have played at their new stadium so far (3-2 v Telford) on the 24th October.

FOUR UNBEATEN?: The Reds will be looking to go four unbeaten against the Pilgrims after two draws and a win in the last three meetings.

Venue:
The Jakemans Community Stadium - Behind Closed Doors

THIS FIXTURE WILL BE LIVE STREAMED:
Boston will be live streaming the fixture for £7.99, details of how to order and access the stream can be found at:
https://bostonunited.live/

League Form (Last five):
Reds - L-L-L-D-D
Boston - L-D-L-W-D

Boston Last Fixture:
Saturday 19th December 2020: Boston United 1-1 AFC Fylde (4-2 pens) (FA Trophy third round)

Reds Last Fixture:
Tuesday 22nd December 2020: Reds 1-3 Kings Lynn (FA Trophy third round)

Last Meeting:
Tuesday 6th August 2019: Reds 1-1 Boston United (NLN)
The last meeting with the Pilgrims came at the start of the 2019/20 season back in August. Amari Morgan Smith gave us the lead with a first half penalty before Jake Wright equalised in the second half to see the points shared.