2006/2007 season Match no.9 - Nationwide North
Tuesday, September 12th, 2006
Worksop Town 2 , ALFRETON TOWN 0

Match report by Kev Miles. Pics by Phil Lucic.

IT IS back to the drawing board for Alfreton Town manager Gary Mills after his side produced their worst display of the season so far in a 2-0 local derby defeat at Worksop Town on Tuesday night.
Reds hopes of building on a run of five successive draws never materialised as for once, Alfreton didn't appear 'up for it' and couldn't produce a fightback against a Worksop side who ended a miserable run of five straight losses with this win.
Alfreton's other non fight back game was at Blyth Spartans where they went down 3-0 and this result on leaves question marks aplenty, particularly up front, as the Reds chalked up yet another away game without a three point haul.
More worryingly, the goals for column is now behind the going rate of even a goal a game with this the fourth time in nine games that the Reds have failed to score.
With Emeka Nwadike rested to the bench with a minor achilles injury the Reds missed his presence in midfield but when he came on with 18 minutes left, 'Makka' showed the front runners how it should be done by leading the line with purpose.
Also out was Matt Glass with a groin problem picked up in the draw at Droylsden.
In truth, the Reds left all their best efforts until the last quarter of the game, a definite case of too little too late.
A minute's silence was held in memory of Hinckley United defender Matt Gadsby who tragically lost his life on the pitch at Harrogate Town the previous Saturday.
The opening 15 minutes was somewhat of a non event with either side stringing anything positive together.
Reds keeper Dale Roberts - who picked up another man of the match award - began his saves with a comfortable take from a Ben Saunders header after the home centre forward got onto a long ball forward from Kevin Dawson.
Alfreton replied with a foray by Anton Brown but his firmly drilled ball in from the left was cleared by Phil Rowland.
A minute later Roberts had to stretch to tip over an awkward dipping shot by Steve Robinson. It certainly wasn't an inentional shot but his ball in from the right ended up testing the visiting keeper who was relieved when Rowland headed over Robinson's corner.
As Worksop continued to hold sway a dangerous ball in from Blake Norton was headed behind for another corner.
Worksop forged the lead on 33 minutes when a crisp header by BEN SAUNDERS beat Roberts, the home striker netting a Steve Robinson free kick from which Ryan Clarke considered himself unfortunate to concede.
Alfreton responded well before the break and fashioned a couple of chances. On 38 minutes a superb ball from Marcus Ebdon to Andy Tiday ended with his cross arrowing towards Jermaine Palmer but Lee Thompson got in a crucial interception at the cost of a corner.
After a Saunders shot had been held by Roberts, the Reds had another chance just before the break when Palmer laid off an inviting ball but Ebdon and Mitchell left it to each other and the chance was gone.
Roberts was in action again six minutes into the second half when he tipped a fearsome drive by Norton over for a corner from which the visiting keeper ended up being charged into the net 'Tommy Lawton style' and a free kick for the visiors ended the danger spell.
Manager Mills swapped Palmer for Tristram Whitman on 52 minutes and five minutes later the substitute produced a strong run from which Andy Tiday cut in and forced Duffy to tip over his shot.
From the resultant corner taken by Ebdon, Gary Sucharewycz headed home but the effort was ruled out for pushing.
As the Reds came againTiday clipped the ball in from the left but with Brown ready to pounce, Duffy plucked the ball to safety for the hosts.
However, Worksop extended their lead on 62 minutes when a fine run and cross by Norton was helped on by Tony Crane and JON FROGGATT steered in a neat effort for 2-0.
Six minutes later Steve Melton sliced a Robinson free kick behind and from the corner Roberts held a Crane header.
Mills made a double swap of Mark Barnard and Emeka Nwadike for Anton Brown and Craig Mitchell on 72 minutes and Nwadike in particular but Featherstone also pushed up front.
Featherstone was denied a reply goal on 79 minutes when Duffy produced a good stop from a close range effort and the Reds man put a header just over from a deep Ebdon cross as the Reds put together a late rally in which Whitman also had a late effort held.
In the end though it was a very disappointing defeat which Reds boss Mills will expect to be out of the system in time for this Saturday's home game against Moor Green.

MATCH STATS
WORKSOP TOWN: Ayden Duffy, Lee Thompson, Kevin Davies, Phil Rowland, Kevin Dawson, Antony Jackson, Jon Froggatt (Jamie Harwood 72), Steve Robinson, Ben Saunders, Tony Crane, Blake Norton.
Subs not used: Karl Everett, Adam Oldham, Greg Archer, David Ratcliffe.
ALFRETON TOWN: Dale Roberts, Ryan Clarke, Lee Featherstone, Gary Sucharewycz, Mark Turner, Anton Brown (Mark Barnard 72), Steve Melton, Marcus Ebdon, Jermaine Palmer (Tristram Whitman 52), Craig Mitchell (Emeka Nwadike 72), Andy Tiday.
Subs not used: Ashley Burbeary, Damian Magee.
REFEREE: Gary Brittain (Doncaster)
ATTENDANCE: 411.
GOALS: Worksop Town - Ben Saunders (33), Jon Froggatt (62).
REDS MAN OF THE MATCH: Dale Roberts.
CAUTIONS: Alfreton Town - Lee Featherstone (45+1, foul on Froggatt), Ryan Clarke (47, foul on Norton).