Reds rocked by early goals

Three goals conceded in 13 minutes at play-off contenders Kidderminster Harriers left Alfreton Town still in National League North relegation trouble.
Craig Westcarr
PHOTO: MARK FEAR - MARK FEAR PHOTOGRAPHYCraig Westcarr
PHOTO: MARK FEAR - MARK FEAR PHOTOGRAPHY
Craig Westcarr PHOTO: MARK FEAR - MARK FEAR PHOTOGRAPHY

Russ O’Neill’s side, who lost 3-0, are four points clear of the drop zone.

Early pressure from the play-off contenders had been soaked up, with keeper Fabian Spiess on top form, until Adam Smith made a 20th minute error.

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Caught in possession by Jordan Tunnicliffe as he tried to dribble his out of his area, Smithbrought down his opponent and conceded a penalty.

James McQuilkin smashed home the spot-kick, giving the keeper no chance.

Spiess had already saved brilliantly from Liam Truslove’s full-blooded volley in the 12th minute and then made a point-blank save from Daniel Nti just two minutes later.

However,he could not prevent Truslove from converting McQuilkin’s 28th minute corner with a deflected shot to put the hosts two goals ahead.

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It was 3-0 in the 33rd minute when Tyrell Waite found the corner of the net too easily from Josh Ezewele’s cross.

The Reds fought back and Sam Smith headed into the side-netting from a 35th- minute Craig Westcarr free-kick.

Kidderminster continued to dominate, though, and Ryan Wilson was forced to slice a clearance against his own bar before Spiess again saved well, this time from Sam Austin.

A better, more composed performance after the break gave the Reds some hope.

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They spent more time in the host’s half and looked tighter at the back, where a better balance had been achieved with Niall Heaton replacing Adam Smith at half-time and taking over from Wilson at left back.

Westcarr engineered a shooting opportunity in the 51st minute, turning to fire at home keeper Sam Hornby, before Mark Shelton fed Wilson wide on the left for a cross that was also held.

Shelton then ran positively towards goal after picking up a loose ball, only to take one touch too many.

Westcarr could only manage a stifled shot that barely tested the keeper and an 87th minute attack yielded the Reds’ only corner of the game.

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Despite Alfreton’s territorial advantage in the later stages Spiess still had to make saves from substitute Andre Brown.

In injury time Morgan Brough was given a taste of National League North football after O’Neill selected two Academy players for the bench, with prolific scorer Brough joining skipper Ellis Evans as a substitute.

ALFRETON: Spiess; Richards, McGowan, Kennedy, Wilson, Atkinson, Monkhouse, Shelton (Marshall 82mins), A. Smith (Heaton 46mins), S. Smith (Brough 93 mins), Westcarr. Subs not used: Jordan, Evans.

Referee: Martin Woods.

Attendance: 1,542 (54 from Alfreton.)

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