Alfreton Town Football Club

Match reports
2004/05

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 2004/05 - Match No. 17
Nationwide North
Saturday, October 23rd, 2004
Alfreton Town 2, Lancaster City 3
ALFRETON Town had their seven game unbeaten run ended and were left to reflect on failure to capitalise on first half dominance as they slipped to a home defeat in sodden conditions.
Lancaster's victory ensured they gained revenge for a double defeat by the Reds last season and they had substitute Ryan Black to thank as his two second half goals swung the game City's way in an entertaining clash.
It was a first home game for the Reds for more than four weeks and they went into it with John Knapper, Carl Bradshaw and Mark Hume back in the starting line-up after spells of injury.
Knapper - making his first league start of the season - covered for midfield dynamo Mitch Ward who suffered rib injuries in the previous week's FA Cup tie.
Ian Robinson and Emeka Nwadike were the unfortunate pair dispatched to the bench to make way for the defensive duo of Bradshaw and Hume, the latter taking the captain’s armband.
Also returning on the bench was Mick Goddard who had been on a loan spell with Stocksbridge Park Steels.
Heavy rain added to an already soft ground as the teams began and early home pressure saw City defender Sparrow produce a telling tackle to rob Peter Duffield of a shooting chance in six minutes.
Minutes later Martin Clark cleared a low skidding John Knapper cross to prevent Ben Chapman from netting at the far post.
Chris Bettney burst into the Lancaster penalty area but saw his low shot superbly kept out by City 'keeper Jamie Speare to give the Reds a fourth corner inside the first 12 minutes.
Speare produced a second crucial stop, an instinctive save denying Mick Godber after Mark Hume had flicked on a free-kick for the hosts.
Lancaster’s first effort of any note was on 15 minutes when a powerful drive from Prince on the edge of the penalty area struck team-mate Jones on the back of the head and went tamely out for a goal-kick. Minutes later Clark’s spearing cross produced a diving header from Elderton which was deflected away for a corner.
With the Reds pressing strongly, Lancaster broke to stun Alfreton on 24 minutes when the alert Peter Thomson thumped in a well worked corner at the near post to put City ahead.
Alfreton recovered well from the sucker punch and after several impressive forays from Bettney, Peter Duffield equalised on 41 minutes with his 10th league goal of the campaign when he rose to head home a precision cross from John Knapper.
The hosts also began the second half on the attack and won more corners but they fell behind again on the hour when City substitute Ryan Black's shot arrowed into the top corner despite a gallant attempt by home 'keeper Lee Butler.
Four minutes later Matt Fisher converted Bettney’s cross to head Alfreton level again but the visitors still looked dangerous on the break and Town's Bradshaw had to produce a superbly timed tackle to stop Black from getting away again as the game swung from end to end.
The Reds went close to snatching the lead for the first time when a superb cross from Dolby eight minutes from time just evaded both the in-rushing Duffield and the deeper Bettney.
It was Black who had the final say though as he slotted home his second of the game in a melee on 85 minutes after which the Reds laid siege to the visiting goal but without reward.
In the end, results elsewhere mean Alfreton retain top spot but this defeat meant they missed a great chance to open a gap at the top of the division.
Alfreton Town: Butler, Bradshaw, Blount, Hume, Brown, Knapper, Bettney, Fisher, Godber (Sale 87), Duffield, Chapman (Dolby 71). Subs not used: Robinson, Goddard, Nwadike.
Lancaster City: Speare, Clark, Scott, Sparrow, Murphy, Hollis, Bauress, Thomson, Jones, Elderton, Prince (Black, h/t). Subs not used: Sullivan, McMahon, Uberschar, Yeomans.
Referee: Mr M Lever (Wigston, Leicestershire).
Attendance: 429.
Reds man of the match: Chris Bettney.