2010/2011 Season. Pre-season friendly number 3.
Saturday, July 24th, 2010

Alfreton Town 3, Luton Town 0

Match pics album by Dave Pursglove here

Alfreton Town comfortably won their pre-season friendly against Conference favourites Luton Town at the Impact Arena on Saturday, despite the former Football League club fielding a strong side.

Despite taking an 11th minute lead through Anton Brown Alfreton had to defend stoically at times in the first half, but totally bossed the encounter after the break and allowed the Hatters just one further chance.

The opening goal was started and finished by Brown, who initially forced the ball through to Anthony Wilson whose effort was blocked by keeper Kevin Pilkington, but the rebound allowed Brown to curl a looping header just under the bar from 15 yards.

Luton responded and seven minutes later Matthew Barnes-Homer saw his header cleared off a crowded goal-line from Andy Drury's corner, then seconds later Paddy Gamble was at full stretch palming aside a stinging drive from Tom Craddock.

Another diving save by Gamble on 26 minutes from Craddock's rasper ensured Alfreton's lead remained intact, then a free-kick teed up for Drury just outside the area produced another reflex block from the Reds' keeper.

The only reason Gamble was not nominated man-of-the-match was the subsequent performance of Kyle McFadzean, who completely controlled midfield in the second half while all around him in a red shirt oozed confidence.

Liam Hearn was uncharacteristically off target with a couple of first half chances, but the build-up to both was impressive, although last season's top-scorer went on to volley a 55th minute shot so wide that it went out for a Luton throw.

Craddock missed a good chance of a leveller in the 59th minute, but two goals inside 60 seconds by Chris Hall and Josh Law put paid to any hopes the Hatters had of avoiding defeat.

The second goal came in the 69th minute when a sublime pass from Ian Ross on the left was swept past Pilkington from 16 yards by Hall low to the keeper's right, then barely into the 70th minute McFadzean's ball into the area was only partially cleared and Law had time to turn and curl a shot from 15 yards inside the back post.

Alfreton were ultimately denied a fourth goal by Shane Blackett's superb block as Jake Moult fired at goal in the 74th minute, with Luton by then looking a jaded and well-beaten outfit.

ALFRETON TOWN: Gamble; Law, Shaw (Cory Bowler 80), Flint, M. Wilson (Stride h/t), McFadzean,
Arnold (C.Hall 63), Brown (Ross 62), A.Wilson (Clayton h/t), Hearn (J.Hall 63), Howell (Moult 62). Other sub: Ross Turner.

LUTON TOWN: Kevin Pilkington; Dan Gleeson, Freddie Murray, George Pilkington (c), Alan White, Shane Blackett (Godfrey Poku 76), Adam Murray (Alan Newton 67), Stefan Bailey (Jake Howells h/t), Matthew Barnes-Homer (Danny Crow 62), Tom Craddock (Kevin Gallen 62), Andy Drury.

Referee: Mark Sutton (Belper)

Att: 392

Bookings: none

Reds man of the match : Kyle McFadzean.