27-03-18 – Report – Alfreton Town 0 Harriers 2

Harriers get back on track at Alfreton

Report: Phil Lench

The Harriers put Saturdays self inflicted calamity against Salford City behind them this evening in a hard working win at Alfreton Town. Goals from both of their former stars, Joe Ironside and Dan Bradley, sealed the points for us and we remain in fourth place in the table but probably too much of a points difference to catch up with third placed Brackley Town who we meet next Monday at Aggborough.

With an unchanged side from the one that drew 4-4 on Saturday the Harriers started possibly the stronger of the two sides but chances were coming few and far between. Ironside and Bradley were both in the thick of things with some shots going wide, some over and some saved. James McQuilkin also sent one wide.

The first real action came in an unwanted way with Lee Vaughan and Ryan Jennings comparing handbags. It was Lee that picked up the booking though.

Town began to come more into the game and sights of goal were becoming more frequent for them. Craig Westcarr saw his shot cleared away then a pass from the same player found Jennings well placed to shoot but Brandon Hall was alert and saved it from going in with his legs then a minute later Brendon Daniels sent his shot over the bar.

Just before the break we had a good chance to take the lead when McQuiklin sent in a cross for Ironside but his head failed to connect properly and it went over the bar.

HT: 0 – 0

The second period was much like the first with both sides having left their shooting boots behind. There was also a call for a penalty from Alfretons ancient fans when the ball struck Fraser Horsfalls arm but the referee waved all claims away.

Ten minutes into the half and the Harriers had taken the lead.

Emmanuel Sonupè, having a bit of a quiet game, finally saw a chance and beat his man before crossing the ball into the area for Joe Ironside to pounce on and and poke the ball home against one of his former clubs. With the goal we now began to dominate the game and Alfreton struggled to cope with our fast attacking style. McQuilkin could have added another goal minutes later but again his shooting was off target. Something that seems to be affecting his game this season after putting those kind of chances away with ease last season.

Ironside had another chance to score soon after when he took the ball into the box, avoiding tackles on the way, but he hesitated too long and the Town keeper, Viktor Johansson, saved the eventual effort. A minute later and another Alfreton old boy had scored.

Ryan Croasdale saw a chance to play a defence splitting ball and sent Dan Bradley on his way. Holding off any challenges Bradley set himself up well to place his shot into the back of the home teams net and give us a two goal advantage.

Alfreton tried to get back into the game but we weren’t going to make the same mistakes again and let a losing team back in. Westcarr tried his luck from distance but nothing came of it then Sonupè tried his luck but his well struck shot went just inches wide of the upright. He next tried to play Bradley in again but Alfreton were now wise to the threat and made sure he didn’t get the chance to score.

The end of the game was now all Harriers and a final chance came the way of  McQuilkin again but still the ball wouldn’t go into the net for him. The whistle finally went on a well earned away win to keep us in the play-off hunt. We have Boston Utd away on Good Friday and that’ll be another tough game but that’s the kind of game we have to get something from.

FT: 0 – 2

Goals for Harriers: Ironside 55, Bradley 70

Talk about the game here and phone the Harriers Hotline on 01905 577 777 after the game too

Latest table and stats here

Alfreton Town	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Johansson
Topliss
Allan
Platt
Shiels
Beevers
Baxendale			79
Jennings			67
Westcarr
Daniels
Disley			72
Subs:
Bell			72
Sharp			79
Green
Wagner
Marshall			67
Harriers	Goals	Subs	Time	Cards
Hall
L Vaughan
Taylor
Croasdale
Horsfall
Pearson
Weeks
McQuilkin
Ironside
Bradley
Sonupè
Subs:
Palmer
Waring
A Brown
Digie
Austin
Referee:
Mr Ben Mulhall
Cheshire