2009/2010 Season. Pre-season friendly match no. 3.
Tuesday, July 21st, 2009.

Curzon Asthon 2, ALFRETON TOWN 2


Match pics by Dave Purseglove here

ALFRETON Town came from behind to secure a deserved draw at UniBond League First Division North side Curzon Ashton.
The Reds had to recover from conceding two goals inside the first 26 minutes as defensive uncertainty cost them dear in the early stages.
On an excellent playing surface made quicker by persistent first half rain, the Reds had the first chance on 11 minutes when Mattie Burke sent Liam Hearn through but David Birch got back to clear the danger.
A minute later the hosts were in front when a left flank cross from Matty Woods was flicked home at close quarters by Andrew Lundy with the outside of his boot.
In reply Anthony Howell sent a rising drive over after being picked out by Josh Law's free kick on the right and two minutes later Law's through ball set up Hearn but he pulled a good chance wide.
As Curzon hit back, Aden Flint got back well to concede a corner as he halted a strong run by Phil Edghill.
Howell produced a great cross from the left but Hearn hooked the chance over from 15-yards out.
Having looked likely to get back on level terms, Alfreton found themselves two goals behind on 26 minutes.
Flint grabbed hold of Michael Norton inside the penalty area, referee Mr Graham awarded the penalty and Norton gave Craig Dootson no chance as he absolutely blasted the ball home straight down the middle of the net for 2-0.
Flint had two chances to atone for his error within the space of the following two minutes. Firstly he put a towering header just wide from a Law corner and in the next raid, a Law free kick ended with Flint heading over the top.
Jordan Hall's through-ball then sent Hearn away on a long run but his cross wasted as it was easily cleared.
On 36 minutes Law miskicked a chance from Damien Reeves cross from the left and it was a case of another opportunity gone.
The Reds had been threatening a goal and after a hopeful 30-yarder from Law had been held by David Carnell in the home goal, Alfreton reduced the deficit just before half-time.
A ball in from Mattie Burke from the right set Hearn free and he chipped the keeper from the right side of the area.
Curzon almost made it 3-1 on 52 minutes when Dean Canning struck a 22-yard free-kick which beat Dootson but rebounded back out to safety after smashing against the Reds keeper's right-hand post.
Four minutes later another Hearn run ran into trouble but he did manage to pull the ball back for Anthony Howell whose scuffed shot gave Carnell a fairly easy save.
Kyle McFadzean came to Alfreton's rescue when he got in a timely interception as Lundy tried to send Norton in on goal.
Twelve minutes from time, Paul Clayton skipped through but saw his tame angled shot blocked away.
But as the game ebbed and flowed, McFadzean again got back well to cut out Lundy's cross aimed at substitute Lee Knowles.
With six minutes left Josh Law squared the game up at 2-2 with a really well taken goal. A Tom Curtis cross from the right fell to Law and he picked his spot from 12-yards to lash his shot into the roof of the net to give the Reds a deserved share of the spoils.

CURZON ASHTON: David Carnell, Matthew Russell, Matty Woods (Michael O'Connor 67), David Birch, Hasim Deen (Adam Jones, h/t), Darryl Weston (James Ogoo h/t), Chris Worsley (Chris Curly, h/t (Jordan Goodeve 62)), Dean Canning (John Hardy 58), Michael Norton (Lee Knowles 67), Andrew Lundy, Phil Edghill (Alex Elliott).
ALFRETON TOWN: Craig Dootson, Dominic Roma, Jordan Hall (Ian Ross 55), Kyle McFadzean, Aden Flint, Mattie Burke, Josh Law (Tom Curtis 52), Anton Brown (Luke Shiels 74), Damien Reeves (Paul Clayton 51), Liam Hearn (Brian Cusworth 59), Anthony Howell (Josh Law 82).
Subs: Lawrence Matthewson not used.
REFEREE: Mr Paul Graham of Failsworth.
ATTENDANCE: 101.
BOOKINGS: None.
REDS MAN OF THE MATCH: Kyle McFadzean.