06 December 2016
All the sction in Tuesday night's Derbyshire Senior Cup 3rd Round tie, came in the first half as the Reds raced into four goal lead inside the opening half an hour.
The Reds defended their title in style against last season's runners up. Paul Clayton had an early goal ruled out for an infringement. The Reds did take the lead on eleven minutes, through new signing Mark Shelton, who fired home through a ruck of players, after the Nailer's keeper Mark Rathbone, failed to deal with a Niall Heaton delivery.
It was 2-0 to the Reds in the 16th minute, when Paul Clayton stooped to head in a precision cross from Adam Smith, then Sam Smith headed agaist the bar from a perfect cross by his namesake.
The third goal arrived on 26 minutes, When Sam Smith converted a long ball from Ryan Wilson, with a deft touch at the far post. Alex Steadman went close for the hosts, but his effort was cleared off the line by Clayton.
Shelton claimed his second and the Red's fourth on 37 minutes, with a simple tap in after Rathbone was only able to parry an angled drive from Clayton. From that point the only danger facing Alfreton was the ever descending fog.
Alfreton Town Team:
Spiess, Wilson, McGowan, Kennedy, Heaton, Nyoni, Monkhouse, Shelton, Adam Smith (Allen 58), Sam Smith (Hearn 83), Clayton (Priestley 68)
Subs not used : Westcarr, Jordan
Belper Town Team:
Belper Town : Rathbone, Watkiss, Guy, Graves, G. Palmer ( Allen 45), Watt, Garnett (Birks 54), Armstrong, Steadman, Williams, Head ( Dennis 45)
Subs not used : Butcher, J. Palmer
Attendance: 156
Referee: Richard Eley
Match Reports
