Alfreton Town Football Club

2009/2010 Season. Match no. 16. Blue Square North game no. 13.
Saturday, October 17th, 2009

This was a much-needed confidence booster for Alfreton Town as they shook off their FA Cup blues at the expense of beleaguered Harrogate Town, even managing to claw their way back to within four points of the league leaders in the process.
A brace apiece for Anthony Howell and Ian Ross - the latter's first of the campaign, brushed aside the North Yorkshire outfit, the hosts never recovering from conceding after just 60 seconds.
The goal stemmed from a right-flank cross by Matt Wilson that was firmly headed by Liam Hearn with Simon Harrison forced to clear off the line, and from Ross's corner Howell was left with an unmarked header six yards out that he simply could not miss.
Alfreton keeper Paddy Gamble had to block a low drive from Harrison in the eighth minute, but it was Harrogate custodian Arron Jameson who had a fortunate let-off seven minutes later when he blasted a clearance straight at Paul Clayton only for the rebound to spin wide of goal.
A glaring miss from the experienced Trevor Benjamin in the 16th minute may well have cost Harrogate their chance of salvaging something from the game, as he missed a clear header at the back post from a good cross by Rory Coleman - it was certainly their best chance of the entire 90 minutes.
Just seven minutes later that miss was punished when Howell notched his second goal, again from a Ross corner that had been aimed at the returning Richard Pell, his low drive not cleanly hit but having enough impetus to prevent Jameson from doing any other than help it into the net.
Gamble dealt with a shot from Jamie Harwood in the 26th minute and ten minutes later it was Hearn's turn to miss a gilt-edged chance when the Wetherby Road slope caught him off balance as an effort from the tenacious Andy Todd rebounded to him in front of goal off the keeper's legs.
Aden Flint's firm header from Ross's 40th minute corner was held by Jameson, but a minute later the Reds were 3-0 to the good when Hearn embarked on a closely controlled run down the middle before passing square to Todd. A superb ball behind the last line of defence from man-of-the-match Todd allowed the overlapping Ross to score with relative ease, guiding the ball across the stranded Jameson into the far corner of the net from 20 yards out.
Three minutes into the second half a long-range optimistic shot from Coleman was held comfortably by Gamble, then Benjamin's stifled shot two minutes later was also dealt with quite easily.
The fourth goal arrived on 54 minutes after Harrogate player-manager Simon Weaver had been cautioned for stopping Anton Brown in full flight just outside the area. Ross powered in the free kick which Jameson again could only help into the net with the aid of his right-hand upright.
Four minutes later Jameson turned behind a Hearn drive at full stretch that may well have been destined for the side-netting, then at the other end three minutes later Gamble diverted a low drive from Ollie Ryan.

With 14 minutes remaining Harrison did well to force the ball out for a corner as Brown homed in on a Todd cross, then a strong run by Hearn led to Clayton having his shot blocked eight minutes later, while Coleman went close to a consolation for the home side in added time from a free-kick.

Harrogate Town: Arron Jameson; Simon Harrison, Rory Coleman, Curtis Woodhouse (Warren Burrell 71), Simon Weaver (Mike Wood 71), Matt Bloomer, Jamie Harwood, Richard Dunning (Brian Dutton 61),Ollie Ryan, Trevor Benjamin, Dave McTiernan.
Substitutes not used: Ben Chapman, Stephen Hernandez.
Alfreton Town: Paddy Gamble, Matt Wilson, Andy Todd (Josh Law 83), Aden Flint, Richard Pell, Ian Ross, Kyle McFadzean (Mattie Burke 90+1), Anton Brown, Paul Clayton, Liam Hearn (Jordan Hall 88), Anthony Howell.
Substitutes not used: Mark Dudley, Craig Dootson.
Referee: Simon Clayton of Newton Aycliffe.
Attendance: 401.
Goals: Alfreton Town - Anthony Howell (1 and 23), Ian Ross (41 and 54).
Bookings: Harrogate Town - Simon Weaver (53, foul on Anton Brown); Trevor Benjamin (56, foul on Aden Flint); Jamie Harwood (78, dissent). Alfreton Town - Aden Flint (87, foul on Ollie Ryan).
Reds man of the match: Andy Todd.