Alfreton Town Football Club
Match reports
2004/05

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Pre-season match no. 7
Derbyshire County Football Association Beneficiaries Cup Final
Friday, August 5th, 2004
Matlock Town 2, Alfreton Town 5
Report by Kev Miles. Pics by Phil Lucic
IN rain-lashed conditions Alfreton Town put in a professional performance to overcome local derby rivals Matlock and ensure the new season starts with some silverware already in the trophy cabinet.
This competition was introduced by the Derbyshire FA in the spring as a supplement competition for the Reds who, as 2003 Centenary Cup winners took on Matlock Town - the 2003/04 Senior Cup winners for the DCFA Beneficiaries Cup.
The Reds were given a helping hand in this tie as UniBond Premier Division Matlock played out the last 16 minutes with only nine men during which time the Reds clinically netted four times.
Gladiators goalkeeper Joel Armstrong had been sent off on 68 minutes after deliberate hand-ball well outside his penalty area, and with all three substitutes used, Matlock were down to nine players on 74 when Leroy Chambers exited the tie through injury.
Matlock's injury woes had begun at half-time when sought-after striker Danny Holland withdrew with injury, he being replaced by Simon Barraclough.
Four minutes into the second period Barraclough himself was replaced by Phil Brown after a clash of heads with Mark Hume.
By half-time the Reds were leading 1-0 thanks to a CARL BRADSHAW penalty after home custodian Armstrong brought down Mick Goddard as he burst through the middle on 29 minutes.
That lead could have been greater as the hosts survived four corners in an opening blitz by the Reds during which Blount headed a clear chance over from the first of the flag-kicks and Armstrong twice tipped over - one from a Hume header.
Matlock gradually came into it and on 17 minutes Ian Clarke's 20-yarder thumped a post before two minujtes later Rocky White had a shot tipped round by Lee Butler in the visiting goal.
After taking the lead, Goddard had chance to double it for the Reds on 37 minutes but at the end of a solo run he pulled his shot wide.
Matlock had a busy spell at the start of the second half and on 52 minutes Mark Blount got a vital touch for the Reds to take the sting out of a Leroy Chambers shot at the end of a run on goal and Lee Butler completed a far easier save than it might have been.
Eight minutes later Matlock were level when ROCKY WHITE headed home a Bowler corner to the far post.
The Reds hit back and Armstrong got a touch to an angled Mick Goddard shot with former Red Steve Circuit clearing.
At the other end a Bowler cross ended with Hume just beating substitute Phil Brown to the ball and conceding a corner, Brown appealing in vain for hand-ball.
The major turning point came on 68 minutes when home 'keeper Joel Armstrong left referee Cook with little option but to send him off after he handled yards outside his penalty area to prevent Mick Goddard's flick from going past him.
Winger Michael Sisson was sacrificed for substitute goalkeeper Kevin Tye and when play finally resumed Mitch Ward put the free-kick over the top.
Leroy Chambers departed through injury on 74 minutes and the depleted hosts unsurprisingly came under a wave of Alfreton attacks.
MICK GODBER restored the lead on 79 minutes with a strong shot into the new 'keeper's far right-hand corner after Mitch Ward had sent the Reds marksman in.
PETER DUFFIELD - who had replaced Mick Goddard on 76 minutes - quickly showed his finishing prowess with two goals in three minutes. The first came on 81 minutes when he netted from close range after being set up by a rampant Godber and on 83 minutes DUFFIELD made it 4-1 after hooking in a left-flank cross by Nwadike.
Matlock reduced the arrears on 84 when IAN CLARKE netted from the penalty spot after Mark Hume was adjudged to have pushed Phil Brown.
But, two minutes later, victory was sealed when MICK GODBER hammered home his second goal of the night from 15 yards with Nwadike again the provider from the left.
Replacement 'keeper Tye must have wondered what had hit him with all four goals going into his bottom right corner while Matlock will be sick of the sight of the Reds who have now won all the last six meetings against the Gladiators.
With the Trophy secured and his pre-season warm-up games completed, manager Dave Lloyd now has to decide his options - which should be strengthened by the availability of Grant Brown who missed this tie with a leg injury - for the first game of the inaugural Nationwide North campaign.
MATLOCK TOWN: Armstrong, Circuit, Hopkins, Clarke, James, Lukic, Sisson (Tye 68), White, Chambers, Holland (Barraclough h/t (Brown 49)), Bowler. Subs not used: Handbury, Alexander.
ALFRETON TOWN: Butler, Bradshaw, Robinson, Blount, Hume, Nwadike, Ward (Knapper 84), Fisher, Godber, Goddard (Duffield 76), Dolby (Bettney 34). Subs not used: Woolley, Sale.
REFEREE: S Cook (Belper).
ATTENDANCE: 298.
SENT OFF: Matlock Town - Armstrong (68).
REDS MAN OF THE MATCH: Emeka Nwadike.