Reds dig their way to safety

Delighted Alfreton Town boss Chris Moyses said it was a job well done as the Reds defeated FC United of Manchester 1-0 to preserve their National League North status.
Tom PlattTom Platt
Tom Platt

“We always knew there was enough within the group to get us out of the hole that we were in,” he said.

“We worked really hard these past three weeks to put things right and we have done, thankfully.

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“There were aspects of the game (against FC United) that we were really pleased with.

“The ball retention wasn’t as good as we would have liked it to be, but it is job done.

“We have struggled at home a bit and we needed a decent result to get the fans back on side.”

Alfreton avoided relegation with a game to spare thanks to Tom Platt scoring the all important goal after 24 minutes.

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lt certainly was not a classic, but the Reds controlled the game and did enough to ensure safety with a rare win at the lmpact Arena as Tamworth, Gainsborough Trinity and North Ferriby United [ironically three of Alfreton’s shortest journeys] slipped through the trap door.

Platt’s goal was a superbly struck shot from around 20 yards, which looped over visiting keeper Lloyd Allinson from a loose-ball situation, coming after Alfreton had started their task in positive fashion.

Nyal Bell was first to attempt a shot at goal with a ninth-minute effort that was scuffed wide.

Then a driven cross from the Supporters’ Player of the Season, Allan, failed to be converted in a crowded box.

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Allan went close from distance before Allinson had to scamper out of goal to hack clear as Brendon Daniels was played through.

The keeper then did well to clutch a Chris Sharp back-header from a long Allan throw.

A Daniels corner five minutes before the break allowed Cieron Keane to fire low at the target, with Allinson initially fumbling the ball before recovering his composure.

United’s first real opening took 61 minutes to materialise, substitute Elliot Simoes contriving to drag his shot wide when clear.

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Almost immediately the Reds responded with Ned Wagner heading against the crossbar from an Allan header.

With 80 minutes on the clock an awkward Simoes cross reared up off keeper Chris Elliott, while at the other end Allan glanced a header wide from another Daniels corner.

Both Bell and Daniels saw shots blocked in the closing stages as Alfreton finished the game on the positive note that they had started.

ALFRETON: Elliott; Topliss, Beevers, Wagner, Allan, Disley [Everington 87], Platt, Daniels, Keane, Bell [Baxendale 90+3], Sharp [Marshall 65].

FC UNITED: Allinson; Senior [Affleck 52], Higham, Tattum, Fagbola, Baird, Glynn, Jones [Palmer 65], Greaves [Simoes h/t], Racchi, Gilchrist.