2007/2008 Season. Blue Square Conference North. Game no. 9
Tuesday, September 18th, 2007
AFC Telford United 3, ALFRETON TOWN 0

Report by John Mullins.

Alfreton Town’s miseries continued as they went down to Telford at the impressive New Bucks Head Stadium on Tuesday night.
Although the scoreline looked comfortable, convincing even, the game could have been so different had Alfreton capitalised on an early chance that came their way.
But it went begging, and two first half strikes and a third after the interval sent the Reds home with nothing to show.
Once Telford had established their lead they rarely looked like losing control,  despite creating fewer chances.
Manager Nicky Law made three changes from the side that undeservedly lost at home to Harrogate three days earlier, giving starts to David Cockerill, Tommy Hannigan and Shaun Doxey.
Kyle Sutcliffe was involved inside the first minute, holding a Forsdick drive well.  Alfreton responded with Brian Cusworth heading just wide from Mark Barnard’s free kick.
The Reds had the best chance of the match as a chorus of 1,800 voices screamed for offside.
Cockerill fed Cusworth clear on goal only for him to fire straight at keeper Young.
Danny Reet followed up but Forsdick intervened and Alfreton had to settle for their first and only corner of the game.
But it was Telford who took the lead in the 11th minute. A cross from Lee Moore found an unmarked Forsdick who side-stepped Sutcliffe to mark his debut with a goal.
On-loan Mansfield striker Reet was booked moments later as he smashed into Telford keeper Young who needed some lengthy treatment.
When the game re-started it was Alfreton who had a couple of opportunities to pull level, firstly through a Reet header after some good build up play through Barnard and Cusworth, then it was Cusworth moments later who shot just wide after a crossfield ball from Reet.
Just as with the first goal Telford scored against the run of play, when an unchallenged cross from Moore saw Matty Lewis nod home an easy far past header.
Alfreton rallied again after some poor defensive play and tested Young twice in quick sucession through Cockerill, both from outside the area and both on target.
Alfreton finished the half the stronger as they tried to get a foothold in the game. Chris Walton blazed over from 25 yards and Laurie Wilson had an effort deflected that Young did well to prevent from going for a corner in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The second half started slowly with Telford having the first chance when the lively Forsdick had a 25-yard effort comfortably held by Sutcliffe.
Reet turned and shot well but it was held by Young. Reet was nearly through again just moments later but cool defending by Teesdale saw him head back to Young to ease the growing Alfreton pressure.
But more poor defending gave Telford their third and final goal of the game. Reynolds was allowed far too much time to run along the by-line and he pulled the ball back for skipper Carl Rodgers to convert from eight yards.
Alfreton made a triple substition soon afterwards with Scott Ellis, Kris Bowler and Scott Rickards going on to freshen things up.
And the Reds nearly got a consolation goal late on as a scramble in the six yard box fell to Reet who had his shot cleared off the line by Lee Vaughan.
Telford: Young, Vaughan, Charlton, Khela (Pacey 66), Teesdale, Rodgers, Moore, Vermiglio (Fitzpatrick 73), Lewis (Cornes 71), Reynolds, Forsdick. Subs not used: Jagielka, Turner.
Alfreton: Sutcliffe, Cockerill (Ellis 74), Barnard, M. Wilson, Hanningan, L. Wilson, Brown, Walton (Bowler 74), Cusworth (Rickards 74), Reet, Doxey. Subs not used: Green.
Referee: M. Murphy of Coventry.
Attendance: 1,852.
Scorers: Telford - Forsdick 11, Lewis 26 Rodgers 69.
Cautions: Alfreton - Reet 13 (foul on Young), Doxey 52 (foul on Forsdick), Bowler 90+1 (foul on Forsdick).
Reds Man of the Match: Matt Wilson.