2009/2010 Season. Match no. 7. Blue Square Conference North match no. 7.
Monday, August 31st, 2009

Alfreton Town 1, Corby Town 0

Match pics courtesy of Dave Purseglove here

Both Alfreton Town and newly promoted Corby Town were reeling from humiliating defeats over the weekend when they met at the Impact Arena on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon for a Blue Square North encounter.
Numerous changes were made by Nicky Law, including a first start for keeper Paddy Gamble, and his side responded with a workmanlike performance that saw the Reds bossing the game for long periods.
It was very similar fare to the recent game against Southport when almost one-way traffic throughout left Alfreton almost unrewarded when the visitors snatched an injury-time leveller.
And the Reds' contingent had to hold their breath again on Monday when Stephen Towers directed a free header wide in the 90th minute which would have cancelled out Mattie Burke's 50th minute goal.
Early pressure led to Anthony Howell driving just past the back post from Anton Brown's fifth minute pass, then Brown's volley three minutes later needed diverting for a corner by Tommy Jaszczun.
A scuffed shot by Burke on nine minutes failed to trouble Corby keeper Mark Osborn from 30 yards, then on 13 minutes Howell was set up again by Brown with his effort being turned behind by Chris Hope.
From the ensuing Ian Ross corner, Aden Flint submitted a towering header that was only just off target, then six minutes further on Josh Law sent Paul Clayton through but the keeper just managed to win the race for the ball.
Another Burke volley in the 21st minute just evaded the bar from 25 yards following a Ross corner, then two minutes later Corby were hollering for a penalty as former Nottingham Forest favourite Jason Lee forged his way into the area.
Ironically, Gamble hoofed the ball upfield with such venom that Philip Gulliver almost headed the ball past his own keeper, then seconds later Law sent Clayton to the by-line to force a corner off Gulliver.
A minute before half-time Leon Metham set up Paul Mayo for a chance he should have taken for the visitors, then within 90 seconds of the re-start Kyle McFadzean had to be at his most alert when Lee played John Turner through.
The outcome was settled five minutes into the second half when Clayton won a free-kick near the left-hand corner flag, Ross delivered the ball, and as it was worked out to the edge of the area Burke hammered it back into the net for his first Alfreton goal.
Law's 55th minute shot took a deflection for a corner, then at the other end seven minutes later Flint had to cut out an awkward cross by Gavin Strachan.
Howell couldn't make proper contact with McFadzean's cross in the 72nd minute, then four minutes after that Law's angled drive flew beyond the back post.
Osborn then had to stretch to tip away a full-blooded drive by Law on 82 minutes, before a low angled drive was beaten away by the keeper three minutes later.

Alfreton Town: Paddy Gamble, Dominic Roma, Kyle McFadzean, Richard Pell, Aden Flint, Ian Ross, Mattie Burke, Anton Brown, Paul Clayton, Anthony Howell, Josh Law (Jordan Hall 84).
Substitutes not used: Liam Hearn, Damian Reeves, Andy Todd, Craig Dootson.
Corby Town: Mark Osborn, Philip Watt, Tommy Jasczun, Philip Gulliver, Chris Hope, Gavin Strachan, John Turner (Brett Solkhon 60), Stephen Towers,Jason Lee (Jack Defty 64), Leon Metham (Stephen Diggin 64), Paul Mayo. 
Substitutes not used: David Deeley, Mark Stallard.
Referee: Ian Dudley of Mansfield Woodhouse.
Attendance: 575.
Goal: Alfreton Town - Mattie Burke, 50 minutes.
Cautions: Alfreton Town - Anthony Howell (87, unsporting conduct). Corby Town - Phillip Watt (69, foul on Paul Clayton).
Reds man of the match: Aden Flint.