2008/2009 Season. Match no. 2. Blue Square North
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008
Solihull Moors 2, ALFRETON TOWN 2

TWO late headed goals in two minutes from Leo Fortune-West rescued a point for Alfreton Town in their first away game of the new campaign on Tuesday night.
As with Saturday’s opening game, the Reds showed again that they keep going right to the last but in the end they were thankful of their first point on the road after a somewhat disjointed performance lacking width in a flat atmosphere at Damson Park.
There was one change to the squad which had beat Hyde on Saturday, striker Brian Cusworth finally having recovered from a car accident replacing Jimmy Phillips on the bench.
Lee Collins headed the first chance of the night over the top from a Carl Motteram corner on six minutes after former Moors player Danny Davidson had got back in defence to concede the flag kick.
Paul Clayton was lectured at length by referee Hayward for a foul on Jake Sedgemore on 11 minutes and a minute later the Alfreton striker was involved in more positive action when Theo Streete had to hook out a Clayton cross for a corner.
The hosts responded and a rising 22-yard drive from Sedgemore was held by Tom Evans who was then helped out by a superb tackle back by Kris Bowler as Darren Middleton threatened to play Andy Ducros through.
As Alfreton struggled to piece much together, Clayton picked up his second caution in two games for a foul on
Motteram on 21 minutes before the Moors took the lead five minutes later.
Alfreton were exposed at the back as a Ducros cross from the left was met by the unmarked Tim Gould who netted past Evans from a tight angle on the edge of the six yard area.
Middleton was cautioned for a foul on Curtis on the half hour with the Reds skipper following him into the referee’s book for retaliation.
The Reds finally began to get going up front but they simply couldn’t find their touch in front of goal.
On 35 minutes a strong cross from the left by Fortune-West was miskicked by Clayton ten yards out before Davidson headed well wide from a Marples cross.
It took until the 41st minute for Alfreton to provide a quality move. Davidson sent Josh Law on a run through the middle. He held the ball up well and sprayed it out wide right to Marples and his cross back into the box was headed behind by Clayton under pressure.
A minute later Martin McIntosh had a good chance with a free kick on the edge of the area but fired it two yards over then a minute later after Davidson had fed him, a deep Jordan Hall cross from the left was held by substitute home keeper Adam Rachel.
In the first minute of added time at the end of the first half Darren Middleton fortunately for Alfreton chose the wrong option at the end of a strong run through the middle. He ended up passing tamely to Tom Curtis when he had supporting players either side of him.
Manager Nicky Law sent his side out several minutes early for the second half but within minutes the task was made doubly difficult when they conceded a second goal.
Middleton had already sent a 48th minute snap-shot wide from 25-yards before Danny Davidson dragged his shot behind from a Marples cross in reply a minute later.
Solihull went 2-0 up on 50 minutes when Reds keeper Tom Evans upended Andy Ducros as he tried to get onto a right flank cross from Jake Edwards. Darren Middleton despatched the spot-kick low to Evans’ right.
Kris Bowler produced a 40-yard thunderbolt which was well held by Rachel at the end of a lovely flowing move as
Alfreton finally got going.
Nicky Law began to ring the changes and Ben Muirhead replaced Clayton on 61 minutes followed three minutes later by McFadzean coming on for Bowler who had been booked for a foul minutes earlier.
Law himself was spoken to at length by referee Hayward on 67 minutes and skipper Curtis was also on the end of another lecture.
Michael Tuohy replaced Travis for the home side on 76 minutes and the change opened up some space down the home side’s right which Alfreton went on to exploit.
Brian Cusworth was introduced for the labouring Jordan Hall on 79 minutes and after squandering possession regularly, the Reds finally began to use it well.
The deficit was reduced on 81 minutes when a right flank cross from Tom Curtis found the head of Leo Fortune-West at the far post and he duly obliged.
Two minutes later an even better cross from the impressive Muirhead down the left again picked out Fortune-West and it was 2-2 thanks to another far post header.
The hosts responded with a couple of late corners but there was just time for Danny Davidson to become Alfreton’s fifth booking of the night on 90+4 minutes, Motteram followed for dissen.
There will be much stiffer tests on the road than this one and Alfreton won’t be able to leave things so late and get away with it on a regular basis.

SOLIHULL MOORS: Daniel Crane (Adam Rachel, 34), Simon Travis (Michael Tuohy, 76), Carl Motteram, Lee Collins, Theo Streete, Tim Gould, Jake Sedgemore, Darren Middleton, Jake Edwards (Jason Moore, 85), Andy Ducros, Darren English. Subs not used: Peter Foulds, Joseph O'Toole.
ALFRETON TOWN: Tom Evans, Simon Marples, Kris Bowler (Kyle McFadzean 64), Paul Ellender, Martin McIntosh, Tom Curtis, Josh Law, Jordan Hall (Brian Cusworth, 79), Paul Clayton (Ben Muirhead, 61), Danny Davidson, Leo Fortune-West. Subs not used: Tony Butler, Joe McCormack.
REFEREE: Mr K Hayward of Stoke-on-Trent. ATTENDANCE: 191.
GOALS: Solihull Moors - Tim Gould (26), Darren Middleton (50, penalty). Alfreton Town - Leo Fortune-West (81 & 83).
CAUTIONS: Solihull - Darren Middleton (foul on Curtis, 30); Carl Motteram (dissent, 90+4). Alfreton - Paul Clayton (foul on Motteram, 21); Tom Curtis (retaliation on Middleton, 30); Kris Bowler (foul on Sedgemore, 60), Josh Law (foul on Middleton, 64); Danny  Davidson (foul on Streete, 90+4).
REDS MAN OF THE MATCH: Leo Fortune-West