2007/2008 Season. Blue Square Conference North. Game no. 17
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007
Solihull Moors 0, ALFRETON TOWN 3

ALFRETON picked up their first league victory on their travels since August after totally dominating hosts Solihull Moors at Damson Park on Tuesday.
It made a welcome change from the previous two matches which had seen the Reds in charge for 45 minutes before conceding territorial advantage to their visitors.
Striker Peter Knox, so unlucky with two efforts against Workington on Saturday, gave the Reds a 1-0 interval lead and doubled it three minutes into the re-start, before man of the match Josh Law put the outcome beyond the home side nine minutes from time. But equally pleasing was Reds’ second successive clean sheet.
Manager Nicky Law opted for the same starting 11 as that which finished Saturday’s match against Workington, with Tommy Hannigan starting in place of injured skipper Mark Barnard, but with Kris Bowler taking the captain’s armband.
Alfreton were in control from the outset, and the home side had a let-off with the game only five minutes old.
Knox’s shot on the turn from Anton Brown’s cross was headed for a corner by Moors skipper Lee Collins, and from Law’s flag kick Kyle McFadzean’s venomous drive was cleared off the line by Danny Davidson digging out in the home defence.
When Solihull tried to respond Darren Middleton was too high from 20 yards and Matt Wilson’s timely tackle ended the threat of Davidson’s strong run.
Alfreton’s opener stemmed directly from a Solihull corner from which Kyle Sutcliffe made a good save before a quick throw-out to Brown. He advanced and crossed deep for Law to head back into the area.
Richard Follett’s clearance attempt only reached Brian Cusworth who teed up strike partner Knox to fire home a neat angled drive on the turn.
Two minutes later Knox’s diving header onto Steve Warne’s cross did not find a telling contact, then Danny Reet dragged his shot just wide after a surging run.
Solihull’s best chance of the half arrived five minutes before the break, Gilbert Cummins’ 20-yard rasping drive turned behind by the diving Sutcliffe.
Cummins’ reward was to be substituted at half time, and three minutes into the restart Knox doubled his and Alfreton’s tally.
Bowler forced the ball through to the striker whose neat turn 12 yards out enabled him to slot past keeper Matthew Ghent.
Dave Morrison had gone down just inside the Solihull half and, after a five-minute delay, was carried off with an arm injury.
Brown blocked from Peter Faulds, and Sutcliffe cut out Motteram’s cross as Solihull looked for a way back, but Alfreton were soon back in control again.
Knox should have had his hat-trick in the 70th minute, but after interchangiung well, first with McFadzean and then with Law, his finish was uncharacteristically weak.
Reet’s 20-yard snap shot fizzed narrowly wide three minutes later, and within a couple more minurtes Knox’s clever overhead attempt was just too high after Cusworth had headed into the area.
The outcome was put beyond doubt in the 81st minute. Warne’s cross after a driving forward run picked out Law who lashed it home from the edge of the box.
It happened just as his number was about to be held aloft for him to be substituted, but his goal was enough to persuade his dad to change his mind and keep him on.
The change of heart was nearly repaid four minutes later. Set up by Knox, the young Chesterfield loanee swivelled and fired against the inside of the far post. It didn’t cross the line, and Follett was relieved to clear from under the bar.
As Alfreton went looking to add to their tally in the closing stages Ghent saved from Warne and then held Bowler’s swerving 25-yarder.
And right at the end of stoppage time Cusworth cut in to fire in a shot which Motteram deflected for a corner.
SOLIHULL: Ghent, Follett, Faulds, Collins, Cummins (Midworth ht), Gould, Morrison (Anderson 53), Middleton, Davidson, Moore, Motteram. Subs not used: Jakab, Duggan.
ALFRETON: Sutcliffe, McFadzean, Brown, Hannigan, M. Wilson, Warne, Law, Bowler, Cusworth (Walton 90), Knox, Reet (L. Wilson 83). Subs not used: Cockerill, Agus, Lindley.
REFEREE: Oli Yates of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
ATTENDANCE: 182.
GOALS: Alfreton - Knox 20, 48; Law 81.
CAUTIONS: Alfreton - McFadzean 69 (foul on Motteram).
MAN OF THE MATCH: Josh Law